ISLAMABAD, August 11, 2014: The National Assembly witnessed low attendance of the lawmakers during the 6th sitting of 14th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution moved by the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs to commend the services of minorities and assured them of providing protection to their life and property.
The Opposition Leader presented a report of the sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) about the salary and privileges of the Auditor General of Pakistan. Ten lawmakers – PML-N (3), PPPP (2), PTI, JI, PkMAP, JUI-F (one each) including the Speaker – spoke on the report for 35 minutes.
The House took up two calling attention notices. A PTI lawmaker pointed out that the House was lack of quorum at 2055 hours which prompted the adjournment of the sitting.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for three hours and 13 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1743 hours against the scheduled time of 1730 hours, witnessing a delay of 13 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and 38 minutes while the remaining time was chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 51 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, QWP, APML, JI, PML-Z and MQM attended the sitting.
- Fifty-four lawmakers (16%) were present at the outset of the sitting while 37 (11%) at the adjournment. A maximum of 118 members (34%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Five minority members attended the sitting.
- Seven members applied for leave.
Output
- The National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to commend the services of minorities and assured them of protection to their life and property.
- The Opposition Leader presented a report of the Sub-Committee of the Public Accounts Committee about the salary and privileges of the Auditor General of Pakistan.
- The Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination presented an annual report of the Council of Common Interest 2012-13 in the House.
- The Minister Incharge of the Cabinet Secretariat presented an annual report of the National Economic Council 2012-13.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Twelve of 41 starred questions on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministers while 11 supplementary questions were also asked.
- Eight lawmakers – PML-N (4), PPPP (2), MQM and JUI-F (one each) – spoke on a resolution for 33 minutes.
- Ten lawmakers from the different political parties spoke on the report for 35 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- A PTI lawmaker pointed out that the House was lack of quorum at 20:55 which prompted the adjournment of the sitting.
- The House took up two calling attention notices.
- One point of order consumed eight minutes of the proceedings time.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was not available to 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 National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted
