ISLAMABAD, May 8, 2012:  The third sitting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s 25th session, which met for an hours and 50 minutes, on Tuesday passed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Bill 2012 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cessation of Payment of Arrears on Advance Increments on Higher Educational Qualification Bill 2012. A total of 36 Members (29% of total Membership) were present at the start, while 52 (43%) were present when the sitting was adjourned. The Chief Minister, the Speaker, and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting. Female MPAs walked out of the House after one of them was not allowed to speak during the Question Hour. The walkout lasted for 15 minutes. Seven out of 16 questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded by the relevant minister. Additionally, eight Supplementary questions were raised. The parliamentary leaders of the PML and PPPS attended the sitting. Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business: Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Assembly met for an hour and 50 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1645 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1600 hours. The House proceedings started late by 45 minutes.
• The Deputy Speaker presided over the sitting. The Speaker was not present.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition were absent.
• The parliamentary leaders of the PML and PPPS attended the sitting while those of PPPP and PMLN were absent.
• A total of 36 Members (29% of total Membership) were present at the start, while 52 (43%) were present when the sitting was adjourned.
• One minority Member was present during the sitting.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Seven out of 16 questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded by the relevant minister. Additionally, eight Supplementary questions were asked.

Output

• The House passed two Bills – the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Bill 2012 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cessation of Payment of Arrears on Advance Increments on Higher Educational Qualification Bill 2012.

Order and Institutionalization

• Six Points of Order consumed 23 minutes of the sitting time. None of the Points of Order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
• A female MPA was not allowed to speak during the Question Hour. She, along with other female MPs walked out of the House. Their walkout lasted 15 minutes.

Transparency

• List of Business was available to Legislators, observers and others.
• Information on Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly proceedings conducted by PAIMAN Alumni Trust, a member organization of FAFEN