MQM stages walk out over their leader’s CNIC issue
ISLAMABAD, May 16, 2014: The lack of quorum led to the prorogation of the National Assembly’s 11th session on Friday, amid MQM’s walkout over non issuance of Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) to their leader, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
During the 10th and last sitting, the House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN), sponsored by five lawmakers of PPPP, regarding adulteration in the eatable items, causing grave concern amongst the public. However, the second CAN on the agenda was not taken up due to lack of quorum.
The House held debate on motion under rule 259 and discussed the situation arising out of the prevailing load shedding in the country. Nine lawmakers spoke on it for 71 minutes.
The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for two hours and two minutes.
- The sitting started at 1030 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 30 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for 11 minutes while the remaining sitting was chaired by Deputy Speaker.
- The Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition did not attend the proceedings.
- The parliamentary leaders of JUI-F, MQM, PkMAP, JI, QWP, AMLP and PML-Z attended the sitting.
- Fifty-five members were present at the outset while 53 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 104 members were there at one point of the sitting.
- Five minority members attended the sitting.
- Thirteen members applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up one Calling Attention Notice regarding adulteration in the eatable items, causing grave concern amongst the public.
- The House held debate on motion under rule 259 and discussed the situation arising out of the prevailing load-shedding in the country. Nine lawmakers spoke on it for 71 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- A PPPP lawmaker pointed out quorum at 12:30 hours. After the headcount, 55 members were found to be present and the Deputy Speaker prorogued the session sine die.
- MQM legislators walked out of the assembly proceedings over their leader’s CNIC issue and did not return to the proceedings until the end of the sitting.
- Legislators spoke on 7 points of order for 22 minutes.
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.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted
