ISLAMABAD, January 25, 2014: The Balochistan Assembly, despite boycott from the opposition benches, passed one bill, adopted four resolutions and introduced six bills in the 6th sitting of its 7th session on Saturday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.
The House adopted four resolutions unanimously. These were relating to the issuance of official gratis passport to the legislators and their spouses, repair of Sibbi-Hernai-Boistan railway track at the earliest, construction of Quetta-Chaman road and urging the Sindh government to follow the water supply agreement from Hub Dam to Udo Khel, besides ensuring payment to Balochistan due to the loss it suffered for not materializing this agreement.
The House passed a bill to introduce local languages at the primary level. Six other bills introduced in the House were relating to the compensation to terror victims and their rehabilitation, compulsory education in Balochistan, setting up Balochistan Food Authority, Prevention and Protection from Domestic violence and the bill seeking amendment in Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University Ordinance. Balochsitan Public Service Commission Amendment Bill, 2014 was introduced but was soon deferred.
The opposition members boycotted the sitting, alleging the government of resorting to nepotism in transfer-posting policies and accommodating recommendations of their opponents in development schemes at various constituencies.
None of the Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) appearing on the agenda was taken up.
As many as 34 MPAs were present at the outset, while 15 were there at the adjournment of the sitting. The Chief Minister attended the sitting for two hours and 29 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for five minutes in the beginning.
Following are some key observations of the proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and 44 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1331 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours, witnessing a delay of two hours and 31 minutes.
- Thirty-four members were present at the outset while 15 were there at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Chief Minister attended the sitting for two hours and 29 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for five minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of NP, PkMAP, ANP and JUI-F were present.
- Three members applied for leave.
- One minority member was present during the sitting.
Output
- The House adopted four resolutions. These were relating to the issuance of official gratis passport to the members of the House and their spouses, repair of Sibbi-Hernai-Boistan railway track at the earliest, construction of Quetta-Chaman road and urging the Sindh government to follow the water supply agreement from Hub Dam to Udo Khel, besides ensuring payment to Balochistan due to loss for not materializing this agreement.
- The House passed a bill to introduce local languages at the primary level. The bill was introduced during the last session.
- Six bills introduced in the House were relating to the compensation to victims of terrorism activities and their rehabilitation, compulsory education in Balochistan, Balochistan Food Authority, Prevention and Protection from Domestic violence and bill seeking amendment in Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University Ordinance. Balochsitan Public Service Commission Amendment Bill, 2014 was deferred after introduction.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House approved an adjournment motion for discussion in next sitting regarding health hazards to residents of Quetta due to supply of contaminated water to agriculture products.
- None of Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) appearing on the agenda was taken up.
- Committees on House and Library as well as Finance were constituted. Each of the committee has seven members.
Order and Institutionalization
- Lawmakers spoke on six points of order, consuming 17 minutes of the proceedings.
- The opposition members boycotted the session, alleging the government of resorting to nepotism in transfer-posting policies and accommodating recommendations of their opponents in development schemes at various constituencies.
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.
