Sindh Assembly: Eighteen Lawmakers Participate in Budget Discussion

ISLAMABAD, June 12, 2017: The Provincial Assembly of Sindh resumed the general discussion on the Annual Budget 2017-18 with 18 lawmakers taking part in it on Monday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during fifth sitting of the 33^rd session:

 Members’ Participation

• The Sindh Assembly met for five hours and eight minutes.
• The sitting started at 1151 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for three hours and 32 minutes while rest of the proceedings was chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Leader of the House (Chief Minister) attended the sitting for four hours and 34 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 50 minutes.
• Fifty-nine (29%) members were present at outset while 52 (31%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PML-F and PTI attended the sitting.
• Eight minority members were present.
• One member applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Eighteen lawmakers belonging to PPPP (10), MQM (4), PML-N and PTI (two each) participated in the debate on Annual Budget 2017-18. The discussion continued for four hours and six minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• MQM lawmakers staged a protest followed by a token walkout for nine minutes against the refusal of the Chair to allow additional time to an opposition lawmaker.

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.

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