ISLAMABAD, September 26, 2013: The Balochistan Assembly adopted five resolutions during the first sitting of the sixth session, on Thursday, a private members’ day.

Through the resolutions the House condemned the suicide attacks on a Church in Peshawar, extended condolences on the deaths of the September 24 earthquake; demanded 80% employment for the people of Balochistan in Reko-dik project, construction of sugar mills in various districts and permits to setup CNG stations in the province.

The house offered fatiha for those killed in the Balochistan earthquake and the police personnel killed in a bomb attack in Pishin. For the victims of the suicide bombing on a church in Peshawer the house observed a minute of silence.

The Speaker Chaired the sitting. The Chief Minister was absent while the Leader of the Opposition and the parliamentary leaders of JUIF, PkMAP and MWM were present.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Balochistan Assembly met for four hours and 47 minutes. A 44-minute prayer break was observed during the proceedings.
• The sitting started at 1634 hours, witnessing a delay of 34 minutes against the scheduled start time of 1600 hours.
• A maximum 31 Members were present at the outset of the sitting and 17 at the end.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting and the Deputy Speaker was absent.
• The Chief Minister was absent while the Leader of the Opposition joined the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of JUIF, PkMAP and MWM were present.
• None of the Members applied for leave.
• Three minority MPAs attended the sitting.

Output

• The House adopted five private member’s resolutions to condemn the suicide attacks at a Church in Peshawar, extend condolences over the deaths of the September 24 earthquake, demand 80% employment for people of Balochistan in Reko-dik project, construction of sugar mills in various districts and permits to setup CNG stations in the province.

Representation and Responsiveness

• All eight starred questions on the agenda were taken up however one received answer from the relevant ministry. No supplementary questions were asked.
• A JUF tabled an adjournment motion on the 18 September attack of the Afghan Forces on the Pak-Afghan Border killing 13 people. Four MPAs spoke on the motion for 13 minutes.
• The house offered fatiha for those killed in the Balochistan earthquake and the police personnel killed in a bomb attack in Pishin.
• The House observed a standing minute of silence for the victims of the attack on a church in Peshawer.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on eight points of order for 10 minutes.
• No protests/boycotts /walkouts were recorded during the sitting.

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.