ISLAMABAD, March 31, 2014: The Balochistan Assembly adopted three resolutions during the seventh and last sitting of its 8th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

The first resolution, tabled by three NP lawmakers and adopted by the House, was about carryiing out legislation on the appointment of doctors in their native towns for a period of three years after clearing Public Service Commission exams and five-year term for fresh graduate doctors to serve in their respective districts.

The second resolution, jointly tabled by NP, PML-N and PkMAP lawmakers, was regarding removal of check posts from Chaman and Taftan borders, which was also adopted.

The House also adopted the third resolution moved by three PML-N lawmakers regarding provision of modern facilities and steps for renovation and beautification of Quetta Airport.

The Balochistan Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2014 was deferred due to the absence of provincial minister for education.

The House elected PML-N lawmaker as member of the Syndicate Lasbella University of Agriculture Water and Marine Sciences and PkMAP legislator as member of Syndicate Balochistan University.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and 53 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1557 hours against the scheduled time of 1530 hours, witnessing a delay of 27 minutes.
• Forty-two members were present at the outset while 31 at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 44 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of NP, PkMAP, MWM and JUI-F were present.
• Two members applied for leave.
• Two minority members were present during the sitting. 
  

Output

• The first resolution, tabled by three NP lawmakers and adopted by the House, was about carryiing out legislation on the appointment of doctors in their native towns for a period of three years after clearing Public Service Commission exams and five-year term for fresh graduate doctors to serve in their respective districts.
• The second resolution was jointly tabled by NP, PML-N and PkMAP lawmakers regarding removal of check posts from Chaman and Taftan borders.
• The House also adopted the third resolution moved by three PML-N lawmakers regarding provision of modern facilities and steps for renovation and beautification of Quetta Airport.
• The Balochistan Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2014 was deferred due to the absence of provincial minister for education.

Representation and Responsiveness

• All nine starred questions (requiring oral as well as written answers) on the agenda were taken up. Additionally, two supplementary questions were asked.
• The Chair termed an adjournment motion of JUI-F legislator against the rules as the mover raised more than one issues in it.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on five points of order for 25 minutes.
• No instance of protest, walkout or boycott was witnessed during the sitting.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on legislators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Balochistan Assembly proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development (CPD), a Member organization of FAFEN.