ISLAMABAD, June 17, 2014: The Finance Minister wrapped up the general discussion on federal budget 2014-15 during 10th sitting of the 12th session on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
The Lower House also considered the recommendations made by the Senate. Out of 133 recommendations, the House adopted 57 and put 49 under consideration.
Seven lawmakers discussed the Charged Expenditures for 37 minutes which were responded to by the Finance Minister.
Eight lawmakers of PPPP, followed by PML-N (6), two each of JUI-F and PTI and one each of PML-F, BNP, ANP, QWP and MQM took part in the budget debate that continued for seven hours and four minutes. The Finance Minister consumed 71 minutes to wind up the general discussion on the budget while Leader of the Opposition took the floor for seven minutes.
The entire opposition walked out of the House for 35 minutes against the Lahore incident, in which several precious lives were lost.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for nine hours and 35 minutes.
- The House had a break of 54 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1005 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of five minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for three hours and 33 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceedings.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for five hours and 33 minutes.
- The Finance Minister attended the sitting for two hours and 34 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of MQM, PkMAP, APML, QWP, JUI-F, JI, PML-Z, AMLP and BNP attended the sitting.
- Seven lawmakers were present at the outset while 41 at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 167 members were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Eight minority members attended the sitting.
- Nine members applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eight members of PPPP, followed by PML-N (6), two each of JUI-F and PTI and one each of PML-F, BNP, ANP, QWP and MQM took part in the budget debate that continued for seven hours and four minutes.
- The Finance Minister concluded the discussion on the budget. His speech lasted 71 minutes.
- Seven members discussed the Charged Expenditures for 37 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- Fifteen points of order consumed 37 minutes of the sitting time.
- The entire opposition walked out of the House for 35 minutes against the Lahore incident, in which several precious lives were lost.
- The lawmakers from FATA walked out of the House for an hour and 35 minutes for not getting representation in the committee established for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) after the launch of `Zarb-e-Azb’ operation in tribal areas.
- PTI lawmakers walked out of the House for seven minutes when one of their members was not allowed to speak on the budget.
- BNP lawmaker walked out of the House at 1656 hours complaining that he had not been given sufficient time to speak on the budget. He did not return till the adjournment of the sitting.
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
