ISLAMABAD, May 12, 2015: The Sindh Assembly started its pre-budget debate on Tuesday, giving lawmakers an opportunity to express their priorities for the upcoming provincial budget, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The sitting started 50 minutes behind the schedule with 35 lawmakers (21%) present at the start and 48 (29%) at the time of adjournment. Twelve members participated in the pre-budget debate for two hours and 17 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the assembly business:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 37 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1050 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Speaker was not present.
• The Chief Minister and the Opposition Leader did not attend the sitting.
• 35 members (21%) were present at the start of the sitting.
• A maximum of 48 (29%) lawmakers were present at the time of adjournment.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PML-N, PML-F and PTI were present.
• Four out of nine minority members attended the sitting.
• No member applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Twelve lawmakers (six from MQM, five from PPPP and one belonging to PML-F) participated in the pre-budget debate for two hours and 17 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• No points of order were raised during the sitting.

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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This 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.