ISLAMABAD, May 15, 2014: The National Assembly unanimously adopted two resolutions on Thursday, condemning the attacks on worship places of minorities and expressing solidarity with Turkey over the deaths of 270 people in the mine blast, during the 9th sitting of its 11th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The legislators urged the government to take necessary steps for the security of minorities in the country. The lawmakers also expressed solidarity with the government and the people of Turkey over the loss of precious human lives in the mine blast.
The House held debate on motion under rule 259 and discussed law & order situation in the country. Four lawmakers spoke on it for 29 minutes. The House unanimously adopted a motion tabled by Minister for Science and Technology to suspend the Question Hour tomorrow (Friday) to debate electricity load-shedding in the country.
The Prime Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 12 minutes.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 42 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1026 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 26 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The Prime Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 12 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours and three minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of JI, PkMAP, PML, PML-F, QWP, PML-Z and JUI-F attended the sitting.
- Fifty-four members were present at the outset while 175 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 242 members were present at one point of the sitting.
- Nine minority members attended the sitting.
- Ten members applied for leave.
Output
- Tabled by PPPP lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution to express solidarity with Turkey over the deaths of 270 people in a mine blast.
- The House unanimously adopted a resolution, moved by a PML-N lawmaker to condemn the attacks on minorities’ worship places and urged the government to take steps for their security.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs).
- Fifteen of 42 starred questions on the agenda were taken up while 17 supplementary questions were asked by the lawmakers, which were replied to by the relevant ministers.
- The Finance Minister briefed the House on country’s economic situation and progress made during the last ten months.
Order and Institutionalization
- Legislators spoke on 2 points of order for two minutes.
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
