ISLAMABAD, September 4, 2014: Starting 41 minutes behind schedule, the Joint Session of the Parliament continued debate on the prevailing political situation in the country during its third sitting on Thursday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
A total of five legislators – two from PML-N, and one each of PPPP, ANP and PML – spoke for three hours and 21 minutes.
The Prime Minister attended the sitting for three hours and 29 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly was present for three hours and 27 minutes.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Joint Sitting lasted three hours and 31 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1141 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours, witnessing a delay of 41 minutes.
- The National Assembly Speaker chaired the entire sitting. The Deputy Speaker was also present. The Chairman Senate did not attend the sitting while the Deputy Chairman was there for two hours and 57 minutes.
- The Prime Minister attended the sitting for three hours and 29 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly was there for three hours and 27 minutes. The Leader of the House in Senate attended the sitting for three hours and 27 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition in Senate was present for an hour and 42 minutes.
- A total of 114 lawmakers (26% of the total membership of 446 – 342 in NA and 104 in Senate) were present at the outset of the sitting while 173 (39%) were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 218 members (49%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- The NA parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, AMLP, BNP, JI, JUI-, PML-Z, QWP and APML attended the sitting. Similarly, Senate’s parliamentary leaders of ANP, NP, PPPP and PML-N were also attended the sitting.
- Seven minority lawmakers of National Assembly attended the sitting.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Five legislators spoke on the prevailing political situation for three hours and 21 minutes (95% of the total time).
Order and Institutionalization
- No Points of Order were raised by any of the lawmakers.
- There was no instance of protest, boycott or walkout.
Transparency
- Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Parliament proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted.
