ISLAMABAD, June 20 2014: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly concluded the debate on annual budget 2014-15 and witnessed the introduction of a bill and laying of an ordinance during 7th sitting of the 14th session on Friday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Eighteen lawmakers – PML-N & JUI-F (4 each), QWP (3), JI, AJIP, ANP (two each) and PTI (one) – took part in the budget debate that continued for two hours and 44 minutes.
The Finance Minister winded up the budget debate during his 28-minute speech.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Law presented the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Regulation of Lady Health Workers Program and Employees (Regularization & Standardization) Ordinance, 2014 and also introduced the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesaab Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2014.
Following are some key observations of the proceedings.
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The KP Assembly met for two hours and 50 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1055 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 55 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours 25 minutes.
- The Finance Minister was present for two hours and 25 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of ANP, QWP, JUI-F, AJIP, PPPP and JI were present.
- Twenty members were present at the outset, 61 at the adjournment and a maximum of 66 were there at one point during the sitting.
- Two minority members attended the sitting.
- Four members applied for leave.
Output
- Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Law laid the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Regulation of Lady Health Workers Program and Employees (Regularization & Standardization) Ordinance, 2014.
- The Special Assistant to Chief Minister also introduced the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesaab Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2014.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eighteen lawmakers – PML-N & JUI-F (4 each), QWP (3), JI, AJIP, ANP (two each) and PTI (one)- participated in the budget debate that continued for two hours and 44 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- Two JUI-F lawmakers walked out of the House for not getting time to participate in the budget debate. However, they returned to the House after one minute and delivered speeches.
- AJIP lawmaker walked out of the House for not getting any allocation in budget for development scheme in his constituency.
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 KP Assembly proceedings conducted by PAIMAN, a member organization of FAFEN
