Sindh Assembly: Debate on Finance Bill consumed 76% of Sitting

ISLAMABAD, June 23, 2016: The general discussion on Provincial Budget for Financial Year 2016-17 continued in Sindh Assembly consuming three hours and one minute (76%) of sitting time during 8th sitting of its 25th session on Thursday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation

  • The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 57 minutes.
  • The sitting started at 1530 hours against the scheduled time of 1400 hours.
  • The Speaker and chaired the sitting for three hours and 27 minutes while rest of the proceeding was presided by the Deputy Speaker.
  • The Chief Minister was present for three hours and 45 minutes.
  • The Opposition Leader attended the sitting for three hours and 51 minutes.
  • The Finance Minister attended the entire sitting.
  • Eighty one lawmakers (49%) were present at the start and 111 (68%) at the end of the sitting.
  • The Parliamentary Leaders of PPPP, MQM, PML-F and PTI were present.
  • Six minority members were present.
  • Two members applied for leave.

Output

  • Tabled by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the House unanimously adopted a joint resolution to condemn the murder of renowned Qawal Amjad Sabri. The resolution consumed five minutes of the proceeding.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • Two lawmakers – the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and the Leader of Opposition – took part in general discussion on Budget 2016-17 consuming three hours and one minute of the proceeding.

Order and Institutionalization

  • Two Points of Order consumed two minutes of the proceeding.

Transparency

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

This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.