Sindh Assembly Condemns Call for Early Elections

ISLAMABAD, November 6, 2017: The Sindh Assembly adopted a government resolution on Monday condemning the PTI’s demand for early general elections in the country, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Friday.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during fourth sitting of the 36th session:

Members’ Participation

  • The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 40 minutes.
  • The sitting started at 1130 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
  • The proceedings were suspended for three minutes due to prayers’ call.
  • The Deputy Speaker presided over the entire sitting as the Speaker was not present.
  • The Leader of the House (Chief Minister) did not attend the sitting.
  • The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 34 minutes.
  • As many as 30 (31%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 56 (24%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
  • The parliamentary leaders of MQM, PML-F, PML-N and PTI attended the sitting.
  • Five minority members were also present.

 Output

  • Moved by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the House passed the Sindh Safe Blood Transfusion Bill, 2017.
  • The House unanimously adopted a resolution paying tribute to great Sufi Saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.
  • The House also adopted a government resolution condemning the PTI’s demand for early general elections.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The House took up four out of six Starred Questions for answers during the proceedings. The lawmakers also raised 22 supplementary questions.
  • The House took up three out of seven Call Attention Notices regarding the in the sugarcane crushing season, the illegal encroachment in a Korangi graveyard and the increase in the prices of fruits and vegetable. The remaining CANs were deferred due to absence of the concerned ministers.
  • A PTI lawmaker withdrew an Adjournment Motion regarding encroachment on land and offices of Edhi Foundation.
  • The House disposed of a MQM lawmaker’s Privilege Motion.

Order and Institutionalization

  • The lawmakers did not raise any Point of Order.

Transparency

  • ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
  • The attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation, a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.