ISLAMABAD, February 21, 2013: Starting two hours and 29 minutes late, the 11^th sitting of the Sindh Assembly’s session passed the Sindh (Repeal of the Sindh Peoples Local Government Act 2012 and revival of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 1979 Bill 2013.

The MQM legislators, who protested as they were not allowed to comment on the bill, staged walkout against its approval.

Five other bills – the Hyderabad Institute of Arts, Science and Technology Bill 2013, the Sindh Arms Bill 2013, the Sindh Revenue Board (Amendment) Bill 2013, the Sindh Higher Education Commission Bill 2013, and the Qalanadar Shahbaz University of Modern Sciences Bill 2013 – appearing on the agenda were also passed by the House.

Two Resolutions calling on the Federal Government to amend the Article 251 of the Constitution, and give Balochi, Punjabi, Pushto and Sindhi status of national languages were adopted.

Eighty Members were present at the start while 49 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 112 members were present at one point of sitting.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for four hours and 47 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1229 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1000 hours, witnessing the delay of two hours and 29 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for four hours and 42 minutes while the remaining time was presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Chief Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 12 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PMLF, NPP, PMLQ (F-B) and ANP were present.
• Eighty Members were present at the start while 49 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 112 members were present at one point of sitting.
• Six minority members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Seven Questions appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 20 supplementary questions were also asked.

Output

• Six Bills – the Sindh (Repeal of the Sindh Peoples Local Government Act 2012 and revival of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 1979) Bill 2013, the Hyderabad Institute of Arts, Science and Technology Bill 2013, the Sindh Arms Bill 2013, the Sindh Revenue Board (Amendment) Bill 2013, the Sindh Higher Education Commission Bill 2013, and the Qalanadar Shahbaz University of Modern Sciences Bill 2013 – appearing on the agenda were passed by the House.
• The House also adopted two Resolutions calling the Federal Government to amend the Article 251 of the Constitution, and give Balochi, Punjabi, Pushto and Sindhi status of national languages.

Order and Institutionalization

• Two Points of Order were raised.
• MQM legislators walked out protesting against the approval of the Sindh (Repeal of the Sindh Peoples Local Government Act 2012 and revival of The Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 1979) Bill 2013.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to the legislators, observers and others.

 

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