ISLAMABAD, June 19, 2012: Starting an hour and 20 minutes behind schedule, the seventh sitting of Sindh Assembly’s 36^th session met for three hours and 33 minutes on Tuesday.

Seven MPAs debated the budget for 113 minutes (53% of the sitting time). Four of these legislators belonged to PPPP, two MQM and one NPP. However, the sitting was marked by low attendance as only 14 legislators were present at the outset and 54 were there when it was adjourned.

The Chief Minister and Minister for Finance and Revenue did not attend the sitting.

MQM Members staged an eight-minute walkout against law and order situation and killing of the party workers in Karachi.

All the questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 25 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 three hours and 33 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1050 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 0930 hours. The proceedings were delayed by an hour and 20 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for three hours and three minutes while the remaining time presided over by the Member of Panel of Chairperson.
• The Chief Minister and Minister for Finance and Revenue did not attend the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of the PMLF, MQM, NPP and PML (F-B) were present.
• Fourteen (8% of 166) Members were present at the start while 54 (33%) were there when the sitting was adjourned.
• Six minority Members were present during the proceedings.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• All the questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 25 supplementary questions were also asked.

 Output

• Seven MPAs – four PPPP, two MQM and one NPP – debated the budget for 113 minutes (53% of the sitting time).

 Order and Institutionalization

• Eight Points of Order consumed 34 minutes of the sitting time. However none of the Points of Order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
• MQM Members staged an eight-minute walkout against the law and order situation and killing of party workers in Karachi. 

 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