ISLAMABAD, June 15, 2012: Starting 54 minutes behind schedule, the fifth sitting of Sindh Assembly’s 36^th session met for two hours and 34 minutes on Friday, continued debate on budget.

Nine MPAs – six PPPP and three MQM – debated the budget for 89 minutes (58% of the sitting time).

The sitting also witnessed low attendance as only four Members were present at the outset and 45 were there when it was adjourned. The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.

Six out of 14 questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 15 supplementary questions were also asked.

The following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 34 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1024 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 0930 hours. The proceedings were delayed by 54 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of the PPPP, PMLF, MQM, ANP and PML (F-B) were present.
• Four (2% of 166) Members were present at the start while 45 (27%) were there when the sitting was adjourned.
• Five minority Members were present during the proceedings.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Six out of 14 questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 15 supplementary questions were also asked.

Output

• Nine MPAs – six PPPP and three MQM – debated the budget for 89 minutes (58% of the sitting time).

Order and Institutionalization

• Five Points of Order consumed 13 minutes of the sitting time. However none of the Points of Order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
• There were no instances of protest, boycotts or walkouts.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to legislators, observers and others.
• Information about Members’ attendance was unavailable 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