ISLAMABAD, March 28, 2014: The Sindh Assembly adopted four out-of-turn resolutions and took up five calling attention notices on Friday during fourth sitting of 12^th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

A resolution, sponsored by PPPP lawmaker, called upon the federal government to take measures against the militant group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, for allegedly hurling threats to his party’s chairman. Another resolution brought by parliamentary affairs minister expressed the resolve to observe Earth Hour and other environment-related days. The minister also invited lawmakers to a ceremony being held in the Sindh Assembly tomorrow (Saturday) in this regard.

The House passed another resolution, sponsored by PTI lawmaker, to provide first aid to the injured persons before waiting for completion of legal formalities. The House adopted the fourth resolution, brought by a female lawmaker of MQM, condemning the killing of lady health worker in Peshawar. The lawmakers called upon the federal government to direct the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to provide security to polio workers.

The House also took up five calling attention notices (CANs). Four of these were brought by MQM lawmakers while the fifth CAN was put up by female of PML-N. The parliamentary affairs minister responded to all the CANs. The members sought explanation from government on the issues of drought in Tharparkar, prevention of entry of terrorists in Sindh in the aftermath of Waziristan operation, distribution of expired wheat in Shikarpur and substandard fumigation spray in Karachi.

The Speaker announced that Governor of Sindh had given assent to the NIBD Post Graduate Institute of Life Sciences Bill, 2014. The consideration of the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2014, was deferred till next sitting.

The parliamentary affairs minister also responded to an adjournment motion submitted by a lawmaker of MQM regarding killing of 16 people in bomb attacks in Lyari.

The provincial agriculture minister responded to four of the five starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 32 supplementary questions as well.

A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum during the proceedings, however, it was not found lacking on the count.

The legislators raised eight points of order consuming thirteen minutes of the proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 25 minutes taking a three-minute break.
• The sitting started at 1125 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 25 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was also present.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PTI and PML-F attended the sitting.
• Fifteen members were present at the outset while 54 at the adjournment. A maximum of 83 members were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
• Five minority members attended the sitting.
• Three members applied for leave.

Output

• A resolution, sponsored by PPPP lawmaker, called upon the federal government to take measures against the militant group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, for allegedly hurling threats to his party’s chairman. Another resolution brought by parliamentary affairs minister expressed the resolve to observe Earth Hour and other environment-related days. The minister also invited lawmakers to a ceremony being held in the Sindh Assembly tomorrow (Saturday) to observe the Earth Hour.
• The House passed another resolution, sponsored by PTI lawmaker, to provide first aid to the injured persons before waiting for completion of legal formalities. The House adopted the fourth resolution, brought by a female lawmaker of MQM, condemning the killing of lady health worker in Peshawar. The lawmakers called upon the federal government to direct the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to provide security to polio workers.
• The Speaker announced that Governor of Sindh had given assent to the NIBD Post Graduate Institute of Life Sciences Bill, 2014. The consideration of the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2014, was deferred till next sitting.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The provincial agriculture minister responded to four of the five starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 32 supplementary questions as well.
• The House also took up five calling attention notices (CANs). Four of these were brought by MQM lawmakers while the fifth CAN was put up by female of PML-N. The parliamentary affairs minister responded to all the CANs. The members sought explanation from government on the issues of drought in Tharparkar, prevention of entry of terrorists in Sindh in the aftermath of Waziristan operation, distribution of expired wheat in Shikarpur and substandard fumigation spray in Karachi.
• The parliamentary affairs minister also responded to an adjournment motion submitted by a lawmaker of MQM regarding killing of 16 people in bomb attacks in Lyari.

Order and Institutionalization

• A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum during the proceedings, however, it was not found lacking on the count.
• The lawmakers also raised eight points of order consuming thirteen minutes of the proceedings.

Transparency

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