ISLAMABAD, April 7, 2014: The Sindh Assembly adopted six resolutions, not appearing on the agenda, and took up five calling attention notices (CANs) on Monday during sixth sitting of 12^th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

A resolution, sponsored by a female lawmaker belonging to PPPP, recommended federal government to secure safe release of Prof. Ajmal Khan, Ali Haider Gillani, Shahbaz Taseer and other innocent citizens from the captivity of outlawed Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Three members, one each of PPPP, PTI and MQM, brought identical resolutions congratulating street children football team of Pakistan for securing bronze medal in Brazil. These resolutions were clubbed together and adopted. Two other resolutions, sponsored by MQM lawmakers, condemned NEPRA and Federal Ministry of Water and Power for increasing electricity rates and reducing power supply to Karachi. The House also resolved to commemorate International Health Day on April 7 and urged federal government not to close PIA sales office in Hyderabad.

The House also took up all five calling attention notices as well and relevant ministers responded to them. The lawmakers drew attention of the government to petrol smuggling from Iran, drainage issues in Gulshan-e-Faisal, establishment of new colleges in Sindh, budgetary allocation for devolved medical institute, number of mobile dispensaries and field hospitals in the province.

The provincial minister for social welfare responded to five of total seven starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 38 supplementary questions as well.

The lawmakers also raised 16 points of order consuming 40 minutes of the proceedings.

A privilege motion of a female lawmaker belonging to PPPP was discussed on the floor on the House but put on hold until the setting up of the relevant committee on Friday next.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 35 minutes, taking a three-minute break.
• The sitting started at 1125 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 25 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was also present.
• The Chief Minister was absent while the Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 20 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PTI, MQM and PML-F attended the sitting.
• Seventeen members were present at the outset while 55 at the adjournment. A maximum of 83 members were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
• Six minority members attended the sitting.
• Two members applied for leave.

Output

• The House adopted six out-of-turn resolutions. A resolution, sponsored by female lawmaker belonging to PPPP, recommended federal government to secure safe release of Prof. Ajmal Khan, Ali Haider Gillani, Shahbaz Taseer and other innocent citizens from the captivity of TTP. Three members, one each of PPPP, PTI and MQM, brought identical resolutions congratulating street children football team of Pakistan for securing bronze medal in Brazil. These resolutions were clubbed together and adopted. Two other resolutions, sponsored by MQM lawmakers, condemned NEPRA and Federal Ministry of Water and Power for increasing electricity rates and reducing power supply to Karachi. The House also resolved to commemorate International Health Day on April 7 and urged federal government not to close PIA sales office in Hyderabad.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House also took up all five calling attention notices (CANs) as well and relevant ministers responded to them. The lawmakers drew attention of the government to petrol smuggling from Iran, drainage issues in Gulshan-e-Faisal, establishment of new colleges in Sindh, budgetary allocation for devolved medical institute, number of mobile dispensaries and field hospitals in the province.
• The provincial minister for social welfare responded to five of total seven starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 38 supplementary questions as well.
• A privilege motion of female lawmaker belonging to PPPP was also discussed but put on hold until the setting up of the relevant committee on Friday next.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers also raised 16 points of order consuming 40 minutes of the proceedings.
• There was no instance of walkout, protest or boycott.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was 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