ISLAMABAD, June 14, 2021: The National Assembly failed to discuss federal budget 2021-22 and the sitting remained suspended for more than three hours amid protest by the treasury lawmakers during opening speech of the leader of the opposition, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet on Monday.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during fifth sitting of the 34th session:

Members’ Participation

• The House met for three hours and 19 minutes; however, the proceedings remained suspended for three hours and two minutes.
• The proceedings started at 04:09 pm against the scheduled time of 04:00 pm.
• The speaker presided over the entire sitting.
• The deputy speaker was not present.
• The leader of the house (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
• The leader of the opposition was present during entire proceedings.
• As many as 77 lawmakers (23 percent) were present at the outset and 61 (18 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, ANP and BAP attended the sitting.
• As many as seven out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• The leader of the opposition opened debate on federal budget 2021-22 but could not continue it amid protest by the treasury lawmakers during his four minutes speech.

Order and Institutionalization

• A PTI lawmaker spoke on point of order for two minutes.
• The treasury lawmakers protested for four minutes during speech of the opposition leader following which the chair suspended the proceedings for three hours and two minutes.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 04:00 pm.

 Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted