ISLAMABAD, August 18, 2014: Setting aside the scheduled agenda, the National Assembly continued its debate on the current political situation during the 8th sitting of 14th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion, moved by the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, to allow a debate on the current political situation owing to protests and sit-ins by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Islamabad. Ten members – one each from PPPP, JUI-F, PkMAP, ANP, QWP, MQM, JI, PML-Z, PML-N and independent member – continue debate for an hour and 53 minutes.
The House offered fateha for people who lost their lives due to heavy rains in Peshawar. The Prime Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 10 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours and 27 minutes. The sitting was adjourned for 1030 hours on Tuesday.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 37 minutes availing a prayer break of 28 minutes.
- The sitting began at 1752 hours against the scheduled time of 1700 hours witnessing a delay of 52 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The Prime Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 10 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours and 27 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, QWP, JI, PML-Z, ANP and MQM attended the sitting.
- Ninety-eight lawmakers (29%) were present at the outset while 124 (36%) at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 178 members (52%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Four minority members attended the sitting.
Output
- The National Assembly debated the current political situation owing to protests and sit-ins by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Islamabad.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Ten members – one each from PPPP, JUI-F, PkMAP, ANP, QWP, MQM, JI, PML-Z, PML-N and independent member – spoke on the political situation in the country for an hour and 53 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- One point of order consumed two 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
