ISLAMABAD, November 8, 2018: The National Assembly continued the debate on country’s economic situation on Thursday and consumed major part of the proceedings on it, observes the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during ninth sitting of fourth session:

Members’ Participation

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 38 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 28 minutes due to prayer break.
• The sitting started at 1630 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and 28 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the sitting.
• The Leader of House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of Opposition attended the sitting for 33 minutes. He was released from National Accountability Bureau’s custody to attend the sitting on production orders issued by the Speaker.
• As many as 102 lawmakers (30%) were present at outset and 74 (22%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of BAP, PPPP, JWP, GDA, PML (N) and PML attended the sitting.
• As many as five out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) for giving priority to the problems of industrial and commercial consumers instead of domestic electricity consumers by the task force in Peshawar city. It was responded to by Minister for Power Division.
• As many as three lawmakers – one each of PPPP, PTI and PML (N) – participated in the debate on the motion under Rule 259 regarding economic condition of the country. The debate continued for 110 minutes.
• The House did not take up another CAN appearing on the agenda.
• The House took up three out of 38 starred questions. In addition, lawmakers asked eight supplementary questions.

  Order and Institutionalization 

• As many as nine lawmakers including the Leader of the Opposition raised points of order consuming 25 minutes of the proceedings.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on November 9, 2018 (Friday) at 1030 hours.

 Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Attendance of lawmakers is available on the National Assembly’s website.

This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted.