ISLAMABAD, March 11, 2013: The Sindh Assembly, which met for three hours and 50 minutes in the 18^th sitting of the ongoing 40^th session, unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn the violence on Christian community in Badami Bagh, Lahore.

The house also unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the Sindh government to approach the federal government with the recommendation of including blood group information in CNICs.

Four out of seven questions appearing on the agenda were raised and answered on the floor by the relevant minister. Additionally, members asked 38 supplementary questions to bring further clarity on the answers.

The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition attended the session as the Speaker presided over the entire proceedings. The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, NPP and ANP also attended the sitting. The quorum visibly lacking at various stages was not pointed out by any member.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 50 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1150 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 50 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker attended the proceedings for three hours.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition were present.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, NPP and ANP were present whereas those of PMLQ, PMLQ (F-B) and PMLF was absent.
• 26 members were present at the start, 56 at the end and a maximum 78 were there at the adjournment of the sitting.
• Six minority members attended the sitting.
• None of the member applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Out of seven questions on the agenda four were raised on the floor and answered by the relevant minister. Additionally, members asked 38 supplementary questions.

 

Output

• The house unanimously adopted two resolutions the first, tabled by a PPPP MPA, condemning the Badami Bagh incident and the second sponsored by MQM regarding the inclusion of information of blood group in CNICs.

 

Order and Institutionalization

• There were no walkouts/ protests during the sitting.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day\’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• The Members’ attendance was recorded and then made public.

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