• House unanimously adopts a resolution to condemn the murder of Maulana Sami-ul-Haq

ISLAMABAD, November 6, 2018: The National Assembly left almost two-third agenda unaddressed on the Private Members’ Day and witnessed introduction of four private members’ bills that were referred to the relevant committees, which have not yet been constituted, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Tuesday.

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

Members’ Participation

• The National Assembly met for two hours and eight minutes.
• The proceedings started at 1141 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for 21 minutes while rest of the proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 39 minutes. He was released from the National Accountability Bureau’s custody on the production orders issued by the Speaker.
• As many as 92 lawmakers (27%) were present at the outset and 86 (25%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of BAP, PML-N and PPPP attended the sitting.
• As many as five out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

Output

• A PTI lawmaker introduced the Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which was forwarded to the relevant committee for further consideration. Earlier, the House passed the motion to introduce the bill through voice vote.
• A PPPP lawmaker introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2018] (Articles 51 and 106) which was also forwarded to the concerned committee.
• One of the MMAP lawmakers introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2018] (Article 27) and the National Commission on the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill, 2018 which were also referred to the relevant committees for further deliberations. Earlier, the House passed the motions through voice vote, granting leave to introduce these bills.
• The Chair deferred the Pakistan Psychological Council Bill, 2018 due to the absence of relevant lawmaker.
• A bill – the Islamabad Examination Commission Bill, 2018 – was withdrawn by its mover.
• Another bill – the Emigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018 – was deferred with the consent of the mover who had agreed to discuss it further with the Minister of State for Interior.
• Tabled by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, the House unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn the murder of JUI-S Chief Maulana Sami-ul-Haq.
• A PML-N lawmaker moved a resolution to announce Public Holiday on November 9 in connection with the birth anniversary of national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Eight lawmakers spoke on the resolution for 19 minutes, while the mover withdrew it after reaching consensus to reformulate the resolution.
• The unaddressed agenda included seven private members’ bills, five resolutions, five motions under rule 259, discussion on a matter of urgent public importance and a Calling Attention Notice (CAN).

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Chair deferred a CAN on the request of the Minister for Water Resources regarding non-provision of full share of water to Balochistan from Kheer Thar Canal.

  Order and Institutionalization 

• As many as 18 lawmakers spoke on as many Points of Order for 46 minutes.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on November 7, 2018 at 1100 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