ISLAMABAD, April 21, 2014: The Sindh Assembly approved the constitution of House committees and adopted a resolution to condemn the attack on a senior anchorperson during 12^th sitting of 12^th session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs moved the House to form 37 standing and other committees of the Sindh Assembly, which was carried. A joint resolution, sponsored by Provincial Minister for Information and lawmakers of MQM, PML-F and PTI, condemned the attack on senior journalist Hamid Mir.

The House took up three calling attention notices (CANs) regarding administration of Karachi Municipal Corporation, illegal hydrants in Karachi and out-of-turn promotions in police. A PTI lawmaker withdrew his privilege motion while the Chair rejected admissibility of an adjournment motion terming it against the rules.

Two bills namely the Sindh Criminal Prosecution Service (Constitution, Functions & Powers) (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Sindh Shaheed Recognition and Compensation Bill, 2014 were also introduced in the House.

The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs also moved the motion under rule 256 of the Rules of Procedure of Sindh Assembly to present the report on receipt of the province for 2013-2014, current revenue expenditure 2013-2014, current capital expenditure 2013-2014, and current development expenditure 2013-2014. The minister asked the members to review the report before discussion is held in the later sittings.

The House took up all five starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) directed to the Women Development Department. The members asked 22 supplementary questions as well.

The members raised ten points of order consuming eighteen minutes of the proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 45 minutes taking a three-minute break.
• The sitting started at 1015 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 15 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and 7 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the remaining sitting.
• The Chief Minister was absent while the Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 40 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PTI, MQM and PML-F attended the sitting.
• Fifty-one members were present at the outset while 70 at the adjournment. A maximum of 93 members were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
• Seven minority members attended the sitting.
• Seven members applied for the leave.

Output

• The House passed a resolution, jointly sponsored by Provincial Minister for Information and lawmakers of MQM, PML-F and PTI, condemning the attack on senior journalist Hamid Mir.
• Two bills namely the Sindh Criminal Prosecution Service (Constitution, Functions & Powers) (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Sindh Shaheed Recognition and Compensation Bill, 2014 were also introduced in the House.
• The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs moved the motion under rule 256 of the Rules of Procedure of Sindh Assembly to present the report on receipt of the province for 2013-2014, current revenue expenditure 2013-2014, current capital expenditure 2013-2014, and current development expenditure 2013-2014. The minister asked the members to review the report before the discussion is held in later sittings.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up three calling attention notices (CANs) regarding administration of Karachi Municipal Corporation, illegal hydrants in Karachi and out of turn promotions in police.
• The House took up all five starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) directed to the Women Development Department. The members asked 22 supplementary questions as well.
• A PTI lawmaker withdrew his privilege motion while the Chair rejected admissibility of an adjournment motion terming it against the rules.
• The Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs moved the House to form 37 standing and other committees of the Sindh Assembly. The motion was carried.

Order and Institutionalization

• The members raised ten points of order consuming eighteen minutes of the proceedings.

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