• 32 Points of Order consume more than half of the sitting time

ISLAMABAD, December 16, 2013: The National Assembly adopted a resolution during eighth sitting of its seventh session on Monday, expressing concern over the hanging of Bangladeshi Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Qadir Mullah for his loyalty with Pakistan during events of 1971, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation.

The National Assembly took up two calling attention notices regarding non-convening of meeting of Pakistan Environmental Protection Council since August, 2011 and stoppage of construction work on Qazi Ahmad Aamri bridge over Indus river.

However, the House did not resume debate on the motion regarding law and order in the country.

A total of 54 members, among the House of 340, were present at the outset while 56 were there at the adjournment of sitting.

The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 35 minutes. Parliamentary leaders of PTI, AMLP and APML attended the proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for four hours and five minutes. The House observed 22-minute prayer break.
• The sitting started at 1645 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 45 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 35 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PTI, AMLP and APML were present.
• Fifty-four (54) members were present at the outset while 56 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 183 members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
• Eight minority members attended the sitting.
• Fifteen members applied for leave.

Output

• Tabled by JI legislator, the House adopted a resolution expressing concern over hanging of Bangladeshi Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Qadir Mullah for his loyalty with Pakistan during events of 1971.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sponsored by PML-N and PPPP legislators, the House took up two calling attention notices regarding non-convening of meeting of Pakistan Environmental Protection Council since August, 2011 and stoppage of construction work on Qazi Ahmad Aamri bridge over river Indus.
• Five out of 11 Starred Questions (requiring oral answers) on the Orders of the Day were taken up. Additionally, members asked 11 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• MNAs spoke on 32 points of order for two hours and 17 (56% of session time) minutes.
• There were no instances of protest, boycotts or walkouts during the sitting.

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