• 61 percent lawmakers participate in debate on Finance Bill, 2019
• Opposition’s Protests disrupt the proceedings for four percent of total time
• 11 resolutions adopted, 61 percent starred questions addressed 

The Provincial Assembly of Sindh transacted half of its scheduled business during fifth session comprising 32 sittings that continued between June 12, 2019 and September 2, 2019. The House witnessed passage of the Sindh Finance Bill, 2019 and as many as 61 percent lawmakers participated in budget debate, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its session report.

Of 168 lawmakers, 103 (61 percent) contributed to the budget debate. Among them, 24 were female legislators while 79 were male lawmakers. The interest of women legislators in budget was higher than men lawmakers in context of their total membership in the House. As many as 24 of 31 women MPs (77 percent) while 79 out of 137 (58 percent) men legislators participated in budget debate. The participating lawmakers belonged to PPPP (53), PTI (23), MQMP (17), GDA (nine) and TLP (one). On the other hand, 65 lawmakers did not take part in the budget debate. Amongst them, 46 belonged to PPPP, seven to PTI, five to GDA, four to MQMP, two to TLP and one belonging to MMAP remained among inactive members during the budget debate.

The House proceedings commenced with an average delay of an hour and 29 minutes in each sitting while none of the sitting started on its scheduled time. The House also witnessed ten incidents of protests during the proceedings by treasury and opposition lawmakers who exchanged heated arguments while debating various parliamentary interventions which consumed three hours and 54 minutes (four percent) of the proceedings.

The proceedings remained suspended for an hour and fifteen minutes (one percent) due to the prayer breaks and lack of quorum. The regular as well as supplementary agenda of the House during fifth session comprised six government bills and one private members’ bill, 35 resolutions, 56 Call Attention Notices (CANs), an amendment to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 21 private motions, 105 starred questions and five Questions of Privilege. The House passed the Sindh Finance Bill 2019 and adopted eleven resolutions during the session. In addition, four budgetary papers were laid, 61 percent starred questions were responded, 26 CANs were answered, two Adjournment Motions were admitted for discussion and a Privilege Motion was referred to the concerned standing committee.

To download the complete report, click here