ISLAMABAD, December 6, 2012: The second sitting of Sindh Assembly’s 39^th session which met for three hours and 35 minutes on Thursday debated a resolution on the construction of Kalabagh Dam.

The resolution called upon the federal government to abandon the project of constructing the dam.

The sitting, marked by low attendance of MPAs, was chaired by the Speaker. Forty-nine Members were present at the start while 63 were there when the sitting was adjourned. The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting. However all parliamentary leaders were present in the House.

A Matter of Public Importance about unavailability of gas at CNG stations was taken up by the House.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 33 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1130 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 1000 hours. The proceedings were delayed by 90 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting. The Deputy Speaker was also present.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• All the parliamentary leaders were present during the sitting.
• Forty-nine (29% of 168) Members were present at the start while 63 (37%) were there when the sitting was adjourned. 
• Five minority Members were present in the sitting.
• One Member applied for leave.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• All ten questions appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 33 supplementary questions were also asked.
• A Matter of Public Importance about unavailability of gas at CNG stations was taken up by the House.

 Output

• A resolution on the construction of the Kalabagh Dam was debated by the House. The resolution recommended to the federal government to abandon the project once for all.

Order and Institutionalization

• One Point Of Order consumed 13 minutes.
• There were no instances of protests, boycotts or walkouts.

 Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to Legislators, observers and others.
• Information on Members’ attendance was recorded and made 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