ISLAMABAD, June 9, 2014: The National Assembly suspended the regular agenda of the Budget session and discussed terrorist attack at Karachi airport and killing of pilgrims in the border area of Taftan during 3rd sitting of 12th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Minister of States and Frontier Region, Leader of the Opposition and a single lawmaker from PTI, JUI-F, MQM, JI, AMLP, PML-Z and PkMAP took part in the debate that continued for an hour and 53 minutes (72% of the sitting time).
The House offered fateha for the martyrs of the terrorist attacks in Karachi and Taftan.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 37minutes.
- The sitting started at 1815 hours against the scheduled time of 1730 hours, witnessing a delay of 45 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The House had a prayer break of 20 minutes.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours and 25 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PTI, PkMAP, MQM and JUI-F did not attend the sitting.
- Seventy-seven members were present at the outset while 68 at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 115 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
- Four minority members attended the sitting.
- Eighteen members applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Ten legislators, including Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Minister of States and Frontier Region, Leader of the Opposition and single lawmaker from PTI, JUI-F, MQM, JI, AMLP, PML-Z and PkMAP took part in the debate that continued for an hour and 53 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- A PPPP female lawmaker displayed placard inscribed with some slogan but it was put down when the Chair asked her to do so.
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
