ISLAMABAD, August 19, 2014: Starting 42 minutes behind the schedule, the National Assembly witnessed low attendance as 65 lawmakers (19%) were present at the start and 28 (8%) at the adjournment of the 9th sitting of the 14th session on Tuesday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Setting aside the scheduled agenda, the National Assembly continued discussion on the current political situation owing to protests and sit-ins by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Islamabad. Eleven lawmakers – PML-N (4), PPPP (3), PkMAP (2), JUI-F and JI (one each) – took part in the debate that continued for an hour and 35 minutes.
The House adopted a motion tabled by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs to suspend the agenda for the next day to continue discussion on the political situation. A PPPP lawmaker took oath as the member of the National Assembly while the PTI members stayed away from the house proceedings.
The House also offered fateha for teachers and students killed in an attack on a school van in Bajaur Agency. The sitting was adjourned for 1030 hours on Wednesday.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 30 minutes.
- The sitting began at 1112 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours witnessing a delay of 42 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for 56 minutes while the rest of the proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
- Sixty-five lawmakers (19%) were present at the outset while 28 (8%) at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 138 members (40%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Five minority members attended the sitting.
- Twelve lawmakers applied for leave.
Output
- The House adopted a motion tabled by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs to suspend the agenda for the next day to continue discussion on the political situation.
- The National Assembly continued discussion on the current political situation owing to protests and sit-ins by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Islamabad.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eleven lawmakers – PML-N (4), PPPP (3), PkMAP (2), JUI-F and JI (one each) – took part in the debate that continued for an hour and 35 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- The House took up one Calling Attention Notice.
- One point of order consumed two minutes of the proceedings’ time.
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
