ISLAMABAD, April 27, 2015: The Sindh Assembly passed two bills and adopted a resolution amid low attendance on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Thirty-two (19%) legislators were present at the start of the sitting and 63 (38%) at the time of adjournment. The quorum was visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting. However, it was not pointed out by any of the lawmakers.

The House passed the Sindh Service Tribunals (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Postgraduate College of Medical Sciences Sindh Bill 2014. The latter was passed after it was reconsidered to incorporate the governor’s recommendations.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister introduced the Indus University of Health Sciences Bill 2015, while the Thar Development Authority Bill 2015 and the Kohistan Development Authority Bill 2015 (which were introduced earlier) were referred to the relevant standing committee.

A resolution congratulating PPPP Co-Chairman for arranging a public gathering in Lyari, Karachi was adopted by the House.

The House also took up three calling attention notices (CANs) regarding waste disposal in Karachi, misappropriation of funds in the Sports Department and action against doctors of Hyder Bux Jatoi Hospital in Daharki, Ghotki.

Following are some key observations of the assembly business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 53 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1116 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and 11 minutes.
• The remaining proceedings were chaired by a member of the Panel of Chairpersons.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Opposition Leader was present for two hours and 23 minutes.
• 32 members (19%) were present at the start and 63 (38%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 68 members (40%) attended the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PML-N, PTI and PML-F were present.
• Three out of nine minority members were present.
• Four members applied for leave.

Output

• The House passed the Sindh Service Tribunals (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Postgraduate College of Medical Sciences Sindh Bill 2014.
• The Parliamentary Affairs Minister introduced the Indus University of Health Sciences Bill 2015.
• The House adopted a resolution to congratulate PPPP Co-Chairman for arranging a public gathering in Lyari, Karachi on Sunday.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• Five out of seven questions appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant government departments. In addition, the lawmakers raised 33 supplementary questions.
• The House took up three CANs regarding waste disposal in Karachi, misappropriation of funds in the Sports Department and action against doctors of Hyder Bux Jatoi Hospital in Daharki, Ghotki.
• Another CAN regarding the vacancy of District Education Officer in Dadu was not taken up on the will of the mover.
• The House took up an adjournment motion regarding the Sindh government’s decision to reject the federal government’s new energy policy.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Thirteen points of order (POs) consumed 17 minutes of the sitting.
• PTI lawmakers staged a walkout at 1351 hours to protest the Speaker’s interference during their parliamentary leader’s speech on a point of order.

 Transparency

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

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The 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.