ISLAMABAD, June 14, 2014: The National Assembly continued general discussion on the budget during the 8th sitting of 12th session and 20 members expressed their views on the budgetary proposals on Saturday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Seven members each from PTI and PML-N, three from MQM and one each from PPPP, PkMAP and JUI-F participated in the debate on the Finance Bill 2014 that continued for four hours and 48 minutes.
A total of 23 members (7%) were present at the start and 32 (9%) at the adjournment of the sitting which met for six hours and 10 minutes. The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 56 minutes.
The Speaker presided over the proceedings for an hour and 24 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 33 minutes. A member of panel of chairpersons chaired the sitting for two hours and 33 minutes.
The lawmakers observed silence for two minutes over the killing of a minority lawmaker of the Balochistan Assembly in Quetta.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for six hours and 10 minutes.
- The House took a prayer break of 40 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1015 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 15 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the proceedings for an hour and 24 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 33 minutes. A member of panel of chairpersons chaired the sitting for two hours and 33 minutes.
- The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 56 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, APML and BNP attended the sitting.
- Twenty-three lawmakers (7%) were present at the outset while 32 (9%) at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 136 members (40%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Seven minority members attended the sitting.
- Nine members applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Twenty members expressed their views on the budgetary proposals. Seven members each from PTI and PML-N, three from MQM and one each from PPPP, PkMAP and JUI-F participated in the debate on the Finance Bill 2014 that continued for four hours and 48 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers raised eleven points of order consuming 29 minutes of the proceedings.
- There were no incidents of protests, walkouts and boycotts.
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
