ISLAMABAD, November 18, 2014: The Sindh Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution regarding non-Muslims amid low attendance during the 10^th sitting of the ongoing 15^th session on Tuesday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The resolution, tabled by PML-F legislator, recommended the provincial government to act against the kidnapping of a Hindu girl Anjli Meghwar. As many as 22 MPAs shared their views on the resolution for an hour and 47 minutes.

Low attendance was observed as more than half of the members were not present during the proceedings. On average, 26 (16%) members were seen at the start and 55 (33%) at the adjournment. A maximum of 72 members (43%) were present in the House at one point of the sitting. The Chief Minister did not attend the proceedings while the Leader of the Opposition was present in the entire sitting.

PML-F members observed a two-minute protest when a PPPP lawmaker made a contentious remark against PML-F chief during the debate on the resolution.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 10 minutes, observing a three-minute break for call of prayers.
• The sitting started at 1055 hours – 55 minutes behind the scheduled start time of 1000 hours.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 17 minutes while the remaining 53 minutes were presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML-F and MQM attended the sitting.
• Twenty-six (16%) members were present at the start and 55 (33%) at the end of the sitting. A maximum of 72 members (43%) were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• Six non-Muslim members were present in the sitting.
• One member applied for leave. 

Output

• The House debated and unanimously adopted a resolution recommending the provincial government to take action against the kidnapping of Hindu girl named Anjli Meghwar. The resolution, debated by 22 MPAs for an hour and 47 minutes, was tabled by a non-Muslim member of PML-F.

Representation and Responsiveness

• All four starred questions (requiring oral as well written answers) appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded by the Information Department. Additionally, the members asked 28 supplementary questions to get further clarity on their questions.
• The House took up an adjournment motion tabled by an MQM member to discuss matters related to the Apprenticeship/Vocational Training Center Murshidabad, SITE, Hyderabad. Two members debated the motion for 12 minutes after which the debate was pended till next sitting.

Order and Institutionalization

• Two points of order consumed five minutes of the proceedings’ time.
• A two-minute protest was observed by PML-F members when a PPPP lawmaker made a remark about PML-F chief while speaking on the resolution.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was available to observers and the public.

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The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), a member organization of FAFEN.