ISLAMABAD, June 11, 2012: The general discussion on budget started in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday.

Starting 31 minutes late, the second sitting of KP Assembly’s 26^th session met for two hours and 10 minutes.

Three MPAs spoke on the budget –one each from MMAP, PMLN, and PML – for 85 minutes (65% of sitting time). The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting while the Chief Minister was not present.

The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML and PPPS attended the sitting.

A total of 28 Members (23% of total Membership – 124) were present at the start, while 39 (31%) were present when the sitting was adjourned. A maximum of 59 (48%) legislators were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Assembly met for two hours and 10 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1731 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1700 hours. The House proceedings started late by 31 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting. The Deputy Speaker was not present.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting. The Chief Minister was not present.
• The parliamentary leaders of the PPPP, PML and PPPS attended the sitting.
• A total of 28 Members (23% of total Membership – 124) were present at the start, while 39 (31%) were present when the sitting was adjourned.
• Two minority Members were present during the sitting.
• Thirteen Members applied for leave to be absent. 

Representation and Responsiveness

• Three MPAs spoke on the budget – one each of MMAP, PMLN, and PML – for 85 minutes (65% of sitting time).

Output

• No other agenda appeared on the Agenda.

 Order and Institutionalization

• No Points of Order was raised during the sitting.

• There were no instances of protest, boycotts or walkouts.

 Transparency

• List of Business was available to legislators, observers and others.
• Information on Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.

• Copies of the budget speech were available to the legislators.

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly proceedings conducted by PAIMAN Alumni Trust, a member organization of FAFEN