ISLAMABAD, August 07, 2014: The National Assembly started debate on the address of the President to the joint session of the Parliament during the 4th sitting of 14th session on Thursday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs moved the motion expressing deep gratitude to the President for his address to both the Houses assembled together on June 2, 2014. The motion was adopted.
The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs also introduced the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill 2014 while a motion was moved seeking formation of a committee to improve rules and regulations of the Kashmir Committee.
The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) attended the sitting for 19 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition remained present in the House for an hour and 24 minutes.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 15 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1055 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 25 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The Prime Minister attended the sitting for 19 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 24 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, BNP-A, MQM, APML, PML-Z, AMLP and ANP attended the sitting.
- Thirty-eight lawmakers (24%) were present at the outset while 160 (47%) at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 176 members (51%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Five minority members attended the sitting.
- Eight members applied for leave.
Output
- The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs introduced the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill 2014.
- The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs moved a motion seeking the formation of a committee to improve rules and regulations of the Kashmir Committee.
- The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs presented copies of the address of the President.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The Leader of the Opposition initiated a debate on the address of the President to the joint sitting of the Parliament.
- Ten of 31 starred questions on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministers while 16 supplementary questions were also asked.
Order and Institutionalization
- Nine points of order consume 38 minutes of the proceeding’s 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
