ISLAMABAD, February 17, 2014: The Sindh Assembly, on Monday, witnessed uproar as members belonging to MQM protested against Deputy Speaker and a provincial minister during 7^th sitting of the ongoing 11^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings of the House.

The government brought the Sindh Environmental Protection Bill, 2014 to the House. The House also carried a motion for presentation and adoption of the report on privilege motion prepared by Special Committee.

The House also approved a motion to extend the date of presentation of another report regarding a privilege motion.

The House also took up three calling attention notices (CANs) regarding excessive employment in local government department, shortage of drinking water in District West Karachi and performance of Mohen-jo-Daro Authority.

The House witnessed uproar when the chair ordered to switch off the mic of a minority member belonging to MQM who was speaking on a calling attention notice regarding kidnappings of minority community members. The proceedings remained suspended for ten minutes amidst the protest.

The members belonging to MQM protested again during the question hour over alleged comments passed by a provincial minister on a female lawmaker of the main opposition party. This protest continued for 7 minutes till the adjournment of the sitting.

Six of seven starred questions (requiring oral as well as written reply) on the agenda were taken up during the proceedings. Ministers for Food and Environment gave answer to the questions of lawmakers. The legislators also asked 22 supplementary questions. The House deferred a privilege motion and an adjournment motion.

The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and two minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the House for 28 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 50 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1500 hours against the scheduled time of 1400 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and two minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the proceedings for 28 minutes.
• Both the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the proceedings.
•  The parliamentary leaders of MQM and PML-F attended the sitting.
• Sixty-six members were present at the outset while 78 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 94 members were observed to be present at a point during the sitting.
• Five minority members attended the sitting.
• Four members applied for leave.

Output

•  The government introduced the Sindh Environmental Protection Bill in the House.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House also carried a motion for presentation and adoption of the report on privilege motion prepared by Special Committee.
• The House also approved a motion to extend the date of presentation of another report regarding a privilege motion.
• The House also took up three calling attention notices (CANs) regarding excessive employment in local government department, shortage of drinking water in District West Karachi and performance of Mohen-jo-Daro Authority.
• Six of seven starred questions (requiring oral as well as written reply) on the agenda were taken up during the proceedings. Ministers for Food and Environment gave answer to the questions of lawmakers. The legislators also asked 22 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• Legislators spoke on three points of order for five minutes.
• The members belonging to MQM protested again during the question hour over alleged comments passed by a provincial minister on a female lawmaker of the main opposition party. This protest continued for 7 minutes till the adjournment of the sitting.

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