ISLAMABAD, December 11, 2013: The National Assembly continued debate on the price-hike of various commodities across the country during the fifth sitting of its seventh session on Wednesday, however, it was adjourned due to lack of quorum, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation.

Nine lawmakers belonging to PML-N, PPPP, PTI, MQM and JI debated the motion for an hour and 48 minutes, moved by PML-N legislator under rule 259 in the third sitting of the ongoing session.

The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 28 minutes while a Member of Panel of Chairpersons chaired the remaining proceedings.

The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition remained in the House for an hour and 41 minutes.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan laid report on 2nd Biannual Monitoring on the Implementation of National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

The House did not take up two Calling Attention Notices (CAN) regarding non-convening of Pakistan Environmental Protection Council meeting since August, 2011 and announcement of load-shedding of natural gas in the country.

A PPPP lawmaker pointed out quorum and the sitting had to be adjourned when it was found incomplete.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 35 minutes. The House observed a 27-minute prayer break.
• The sitting started at 1050 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 20 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 28 minutes while the remaining proceedings were chaired by a Member of Panel of Chairpersons.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for an hour and 41 minutes.
• The Parliamentary leaders of PML-F, ANP, AMLP, APML, PML-Z and QWP-S were present.
• Thirty-five Members were present at the outset while 68 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 138 legislators were present at one point of sitting.
• Seven Minority Members attended the sitting.
• Sixteen (16) Members applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Nine Members spoke on a motion under rule 259 regarding price-hike of various commodities.
• Three PML-N lawmakers spoke for 36 minutes followed by two each of PTI (27 minutes) and PPPP (21 minutes), and one each of MQM (15 minutes) and JI (9 minutes).
• Two CANs relating to non-convening of Pakistan Environmental Protection Council meeting since August, 2011 and announcement of load-shedding of natural gas in the country were not taken up.
• Six out of 64 Starred Questions (requiring oral answers) on the Orders of the Day were taken up. Additionally, Members asked 17 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• Single Point of Order was raised consuming two minutes.
• After the PPPP lawmaker pointed out lack of quorum, the Chair ordered for count of Members but later the proceedings were adjourned when the quorum was found incomplete.

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.

The 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