ISLAMABAD, August 7, 2015: The House witnessed the presentation of 15 Standing Committees’ Periodic Reports amidst low attendance of lawmakers as only 17 (5%) members were present at the start while 44 (13%) at the time of adjournment of the 10th sitting, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet.

Periodic reports of 15 Standing Committees were presented before the House. The committees included the Standing Committee on Water and Power; Science & Technology; Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics & Privatization; Parliamentary Affairs; Communication; States and Frontier Regions; Petroleum and Natural Resources; Interior and Narcotics; Federal Education and Professional Training; Commerce; Railways; Cabinet Secretariat; Religious Affairs & Inter-Faith Harmony; Planning & Development and Oversees Pakistanis & Human Resource. However, periodic report of the Standing Committee on Industries & Production could not be presented due to mover’s absence.

The Quorum was visibly lacking at various stages during the sitting, however, it was not pointed out by any member. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting. The parliamentary leaders of PTI and MQM were also absent.

Nine out of 42 starred questions (requiring oral replies) were taken up and responded by the relevant ministries. In addition, 21 supplementary questions were raised.

Two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) appearing on the Orders of the Day were taken up and responded by the State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. Sponsored by a PML-N female member, the first CAN was about non-regularization of the services of the deceased employees’ children working in the Federal Secretariat. The other CAN, moved by MQM Members, was regarding non-implementation of 5% quota in jobs for non-Muslims. Both CANs were directed to the Cabinet Secretariat.

Following are some key observations:

Members’ participation in House proceedings

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 13 minutes
• The sitting started at 1045 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for 50 minutes, while the remaining time was presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting
• The parliamentary leaders of MQM and PTI did not attend the sitting
• Seventeen (5%) legislators were present at the outset while 44 (13%) at the time of adjournment
• A maximum of 87 (25%) lawmakers were observed to be present at one point of the sitting
• As many as 23 members applied for leave
• Five of the ten minority members were present

Output

• Periodic reports of 15 Standing Committees were presented before the House. The committees included the Standing Committee on Water and Power; Science & Technology; Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics & Privatization; Parliamentary Affairs; Communication; States and Frontier Regions; Petroleum and Natural Resources; Interior and Narcotics; Federal Education and Professional Training; Commerce; Railways; Cabinet Secretariat; Religious Affairs & Inter-Faith Harmony; Planning & Development and Oversees Pakistanis & Human Resource. However, periodic report of the Standing Committee on Industries & Production could not be presented due to mover’s absence.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) appearing on the Orders of the Day were taken up and responded by the State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. Sponsored by a PML-N female member, the first CAN was about non-regularization of the services of the deceased employees’ children working in the Federal Secretariat. The other CAN, moved by MQM Members, was regarding non-implementation of 5% quota in jobs for non-Muslims. Both CANs were directed to the Cabinet Secretariat
• Nine out of 42 starred questions (requiring oral replies) were taken up and responded by the relevant ministries. In addition, 21 supplementary questions were asked.

Order and Institutionalization

• Twelve Points of Order consumed 23 minutes of the sitting time. None of them elicited Chair’s formal ruling. Unless the Chair gives a formal ruling on Point of Order, it does not lead to any assembly output.
• There were no instances of protest, boycotts or walkouts

Transparency

• “Orders of the Day’ was available to legislators, observers and public.

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The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), a Member organization of FAFEN.