ISLAMABAD, June 19, 2014: Starting an hour and 10 behind the schedule, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly discussed the annual budget and issues emerging due to the migration of people from the North Waziristan Agency to others parts of the province in the wake of the ongoing military operation during the 6th sitting of 14th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Eight lawmakers – two from PTI including the Chief Minister and one each from JI, PML-N, PPPP, ANP, JUI-F and QWP – participated in a debate on the issues of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that continued for 29 minutes.
Ten lawmakers – three each from PTI and QWP, PPPP (2) and one each from PML-N and JUI-F – debated the budget for an hour and 43 minutes.
Following are some key observations of the proceedings.
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The KP Assembly met for two hours and 50 minutes, taking a 29-minute break.
- The sitting started at 1110 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 10 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Chief Minister attended the sitting for 55 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition for two hours 20 minutes.
- The Finance Minister was present during the entire sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of QWP, AJIP, PML-N, ANP and JUI-F were present.
- Twenty-nine members were present at the outset, 46 at the adjournment and a maximum of 70 were present at one point during the sitting.
- Three minority members also attended the sitting.
- None of the member applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness:
- Eight lawmakers – two from PTI including the Chief Minister and one each from JI, PML-N, PPPP, ANP, JUI-F and QWP – participated in a debate on the issues of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that continued for 29 minutes.
- Ten lawmakers – three each from PTI and QWP, PPPP (2) and one each from PML-N and JUI-F – debated the budget for an hour and 43 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization:
- One point of order consumed one minute of the proceedings and the Chair gave a ruling on it, directing all the lawmakers to call the designation of ministers not their party name when their attention is sought.
- There was no instance of protest, boycott or walkout.
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
