ISLAMABAD, June 27, 2013: Thirty members – 21 of PPPP, three each of PMLN and MQM, two of PMLF and one of PTI – took part in general discussion on the budgetary proposals on Thursday, reports the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet based on the direct observation of the assembly proceedings.

Starting an hour and 25 minutes late, the seventh sitting of the Sindh Assembly’ third session lasted eight hours.

Fifty-eight members were present at the outset while 94 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 103 members were present at one point of sitting.

The Chief Minister attended the sitting for 17 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for two hours and 47 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for eight hours.
• The sitting started at 1055 hours against the scheduled starting time of 0930 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 25 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for five hours and 45 minutes while the remaining proceedings were presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
• Fifty-eight members were present at the outset while 94 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 103 members were present at one point of sitting.
• The Chief Minister attended the sitting for 17 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for two hours and 47 minutes.
• Finance Minister was not present.
• Six minority members attended the sitting.
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• Thirty members – 21 of PPPP, three each of PMLN and MQM, two of PMLF and one of PTI – took part in the general discussion on the budget. They discussed the budgetary proposals for about seven hours.
  

Order and Institutionalization

• No point of order was raised during the sitting.
• MQM first protested for three minutes and then walked of the House when the Chair did not allow more time for speech to an MQM member. They returned after nine minutes to attend the proceedings.
  

Transparency

• The List of Business (agenda) was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information of members’ attendance was available to the observers and the public.

 

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