ISLAMABAD, September 17, 2013: The National Assembly adopted five resolutions during the second sitting of the fifth session on Tuesday as the legislators debated the issue of IMF loan for two hours and 30 minutes.
Apart from condemning the attack on army men in Upper Dir, the House adopted resolutions to call upon the government to take steps to eliminate terrorism, abolish system of interest, pull Pakistan Steel Mills out of crisis and supply gas to district Buner.
Twenty-four MNAs from treasury and opposition benches, on a motion under rule 259, debated the International Monetary Fund loan for two hours and 30 minutes. However the House did not take up motions under rule 259 on performance of Pakistan Income Support Programme, floods due to release of water of eastern rivers by India, government’s trade policy and spread of infectious diseases in the country.
Five bills – the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Bill 2013, the National Database and Registration Authority (Amendment Bill) 2013, the Political Parties Order (Amendment Bill) 2013, the Publication of the Holy Quran (Elimination of Printing and Recording Errors) (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the HIV/AIDS (Safety and Control) Bill 2013 – were introduced and referred to the relevant Standing Committees.
Two Calling Attention Notices about steps being taken by the government to sell shares of PIA and financial irregularities in ERRA were taken up. The House did not take up a matter of public importance under rule 87 to discuss “failure of the Federal Board of Revenue” to achieve set tax collection target for 2012-13.
The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The National Assembly met for four hours and 15 minutes. A 39-minute prayer break was taken.
- The sitting started at 1045 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 15 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 50 minutes while the remaining proceedings were chaired by Deputy Speaker.
- The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
- The parliamentary leader of PkMAP, APML, AMLP, PML-F, ANP and deputy parliamentary leader of PTI were present.
- Fifty-seven members were present at the outset while 47 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 133 members were present at one point of sitting.
- Seven minority members attended the sitting.
- Ten members applied for leave.
Output
- The House adopted five resolutions. The resolutions condemned attack on army men in Upper Dir and paid tribute to their sacrifice, called upon the government to abolish system of interest, pull Pakistan Steel Mills out of crisis, making arrangements for supply of gas to district Buner and taking steps to eliminate terrorism in the country.
- Five bills – the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Bill 2013, the National Database and Registration Authority (Amendment Bill) 2013, the Political Parties Order (Amendment Bill) 2013, the Publication of the Holy Quran (Elimination of Printing and Recording Errors) (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the HIV/AIDS (Safety and Control) Bill 2013 – were introduced and referred to the relevant Standing Committees.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Two Calling Attention Notices about steps being taken by the government to sell shares of PIA and financial irregularities in ERRA were taken up.
- Twenty-four MNAs from treasury and Opposition benches, on a motion under rule 259, debated the situation arising out of the agreement made with International Monetary Fund (IMF) to get loan worth Rs5.3 billion dollar for two hours and 30 minutes. However the House did not take up motions under rule 259 on performance of Pakistan Income Support Programme, floods due to release of water of eastern rivers by India, government’s trade policy and spread of infectious diseases in the country.
Order and Institutionalization
- MNAs spoke on six points of order for 21 minutes.
- No incident of protest, walkout, or boycott observed 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.
The 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
