ISLAMABAD, June 22, 2014: Starting an hour and 44 minutes behind schedule, the Deputy Opposition Leader opened debate on Balochistan budget 2014-15 during the 02nd sitting of 12th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The Deputy Opposition Leader expressed his views on the budget for 29 minutes followed by two PML-N lawmakers who spoke for 09 and 07 minutes respectively.
Advisor to Chief Minister on Finance presented supplementary budget 2013-14, 24 demands of the current expenditure and 04 demands of development expenditures before the House and all of them were approved.
PML-N lawmaker walkedout from the House for 05 minutes against the suspension of District Health Officer (DHO) and Medical Superintendent (MS) of Noshki without his consent.
A NP minority member also took oath as member of the Balochistan Assembly. The seat was fallen vacant following the murder of Hendry Masih.
Following are some key observations of the proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Balochistan Assembly met for an hour and 22 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1244 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 44 minutes.
- Thirty-one members were present at the start and 38 at the end of sitting. A maximum of 42 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 06 minutes while a member of panel of chairpersons presided over the remaining sitting.
- The Chief Minister attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was absent.
- The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, PML, PML-N, NP, ANP and MWM were present.
- Three members applied for leave.
- Two minority members were present during the sitting.
Output
- Advisor to Chief Minister on Finance presented supplementary budget 2013-14, 24 demands of the current expenditure and 04 demands of development expenditures before the House and all of them were approved.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Opposition Leader opened debate on provincial budget for 2014-15.
- Two PML-N lawmakers spoke on budget for 09 and 07 minutes respectively.
- A NP minority member also took oath as member of the Balochistan Assembly.
Order and Institutionalization
- PML-N lawmaker walkout from the House for 05 minutes against the suspension of District Health Officer (DHO) and Medical Superintendent (MS) of Noshki without his consent.
- One Point of Order consumed two minutes.
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
