ISLAMABAD, February 28, 2014: The National Assembly did not take up two calling attention notices (CANs) on Orders of the Day during fifth sitting of the 9th session on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.
Jointly sponsored by lawmakers of AMLP, APML, JUI-F and Independent members, the House did not take up the CAN regarding expected termination of thousands of contractual employees from various Federal Government Departments.
Another CAN sponsored by PML-N lawmakers was also not taken up. It was about disposing of factories waste underground in the Islamabad Capital Territory resulting in fatal diseases like cancer, hepatitis and stomach disorders.
Legislators spoke on nine points of order for 27 minutes, including Independent member’s allegations of indecent activities at Parliament Lodges, migration of thousands of people from Waziristan and non-satisfactory reply to a question.
The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting. The parliamentary leaders of JI, AMLP, PML-Z, PML-F, QWP-S, and APML attended the proceedings.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for an hour and 42 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1053 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 23 minutes.
- The Deputy Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of APML, AMLP, QWP-S, JI, PML-F and PML-Z attended the proceedings.
- Fifty-eight (58) members were present at the outset while 51 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 125 members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
- Four minority members attended the sitting.
- Nine members applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eight of 33 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written answers) on the Orders of the Day were taken up. Additionally, members asked 15 supplementary questions.
- Two CANs on Orders of the Day were not taken up. These were related to expected termination of thousands of contractual employees from various Federal Government Departments and disposing of factories waste underground in the Islamabad Capital Territory resulting in fatal diseases like cancer, hepatitis and stomach disorders.
Order and Institutionalization
- Legislators spoke on nine points of order for 27 minutes, including Independent member’s allegations of indecent activities at Parliament Lodges, migration of thousands of people from Waziristan and non-satisfactory reply to a question.
- No instance of protest, walkout or boycott was witnessed during the sitting.
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
