• Session Prorogued

ISLAMABAD, July 29, 2020:  The National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday passed two government bills despite exchange of heated debate between the government and opposition benches. The Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020 sailed through the lower house of the parliament to help fulfill international obligations against terror financing, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during the 14^th sitting of 23^rd session:

 Members’ Participation

• The Assembly met for three hours and 53 minutes. However, the proceedings remained suspended for 14 minutes due to prayer break and 51 minutes owing protests from the both sides of aisle.
• The sitting started at 1118 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and two minutes while the remaining sitting was chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Leaders of House (Prime Minister) and the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• As many as 43 lawmakers (13%) were present at the outset and 151 (44%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• As many as seven out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

 Output

• Tabled by the Advisor to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs, the House passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) Bill, 2020 through voice voting.
• The House did not take up five others bills, a CAN and a motion under Rule 259 appearing on the agenda.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Minister for Communications responded to a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding the sale of items at hotels and general stores at higher rates on the motorway.
• The House took up 12 out of 23 starred questions while lawmakers also asked 26 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• Eight lawmakers including the Minister for Communication spoke on points of order for an hour and 13 minutes.
• MQM lawmakers walked out of the House for five minutes against the alleged discriminatory attitude of Sindh government with Karachi.
• The treasury and the opposition lawmakers protested during the passage of legislative proposals and speeches of their opponent colleagues. Their protest continued for 55 minutes and two breaks were also taken for 51 minutes due to ruckus in the House.
• The Session was prorogued sine die.

 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