ISLAMABAD, January 31, 2014: Balochistan Assembly adopted a resolution calling upon the federal government to discourage the trend of land occupation and ensure payment to actual owners, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

Jointly tabled by 14 legislators, the resolution demanded of the provincial government to contact the federal government and urge it to discourage the trend of land occupation. An example was quoted in the resolution regarding illegal occupation of 11,500 acres of land of the Bazai tribe where construction of an airport has started without paying the price of the land.

The House held debate on adjournment motion to prevent growth of hazardous vegetables from toxic water. Seven legislators – PkMAP (4) and one each of PML-N, JUI-F and NP – participated in the debate for 18 minutes.

As many as 41 lawmakers were present at the outset, while 30 were there at the adjournment of the sitting. The Chief Minister did not attend the proceedings while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 39 minutes.

Balochistan home minister walked out from the House for 44 minutes for not being invited to the law and order briefing during Prime Minister’s visit to Quetta. Opposition members from JUI-F and MWM also walked out to express solidarity with the home minister.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and 45 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1537 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of 37 minutes.
• Forty-one members were present at the outset while 30 were there at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The House had a prayer break of 32 minutes.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 39 minutes.
• The Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JUI-F and MWM were present.
• Two members applied for leave.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.

Output

• Balochistan Assembly adopted a resolution calling upon the provincial government to contact the federal government to discourage trend of land occupation and ensure payment on market rates of occupied land to actual owners.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House held debate on an adjournment motion to prevent growth of hazardous vegetables from toxic water.
• Seven legislators – PkMAP (4) and one each of PML-N, JUI-F and NP- participated in the debate for 18 minutes.
• Two out of three Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) appearing on the agenda were taken up.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on 14 points of order, consuming 28 minutes of the proceedings.
• Balochistan Home Minister walked out of the sitting for 44 minutes for not being invited to law and order briefing during Prime Minister’s visit to Quetta.
• Opposition members from JUI-F and MWM also walked out to express solidarity with the home minister.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on legislators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Balochistan Assembly proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development (CPD), a Member organization of FAFEN.