ISLAMABAD, May 13, 2014: The National Assembly unanimously adopted four resolutions and discussed the steps being taken by the government to completely eradicate polio from the country on a motion under Rule 259 during the 7th sitting of its 11th session on Tuesday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The adopted resolutions called for monitoring of polio eradication campaign by every lawmaker in his respective constituency, non-retrenchment of employees in any government department, establishment of an engineering university at Sialkot, reviewing decision about withdrawal of subsidy on commodities of daily use in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Eighteen lawmakers – PML-N (six), PTI and PkMAP (three each), PPPP (two) and one each of MQM, JUI-F, JI and an Independent lawmaker – participated in the debate on motion under Rule 259 regarding steps being taken by the government to completely eradicate polio in the country. The State Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination concluded the debate.
The House took up a calling attention notice, sponsored by the five PML-N lawmakers including four females, regarding roll number slips issued by Qauid-e-Azam University to the third-year students of Islamabad Model College for Girls (Post-Graduate), F-10/2 Islamabad without mentioning their names and roll numbers.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 40 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1040 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours witnessing a delay of 40 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for 56 minutes while the rest of proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 26 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of APML, JI, PkMAP, PML, AMLP and QWP attended the sitting.
- Thirty-six members (11%) were present at the outset while 78 members (23%) at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 113 (33%) members were present at one point of the sitting.
- Five minority members attended the sitting.
- Ten members applied for leave.
Output
- Tabled by State Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the House adopted a resolution regarding monitoring of polio eradication campaign by every lawmaker in his respective constituency.
- The House unanimously adopted a resolution, moved by a PPPP lawmaker, regarding no retrenchment of employees in any government department.
- The House adopted a resolution for establishing an engineering university at Sialkot, which was tabled by a female PML-N lawmaker.
- Tabled by MQM lawmakers, the House adopted a resolution urging the government to review decision about withdrawal of subsidy on commodities of daily use in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Chairman of Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights presented four standing committee reports regarding the Constitution Amendment Bills 2013 and 2014 (seeking amendment to Articles 51, 59, 106). Earlier, the House gave approval to condone the delaying period for the presentation of these reports.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eighteen lawmakers- PML-N (six), PTI and PkMAP (three each), PPPP (two) and one each of MQM, JUI-F, JI and an Independent lawmaker- participated in the debate on motion under Rule 259 regarding steps being taken by the government to completely eradicate polio from the country.
Order and Institutionalization
- Legislators spoke on 16 points of order for 28 minutes.
- MQM lawmakers walked out from the House, from 1120 hours to 1137 hours over non-issuance of passport to their party chief. They returned to the House after talks with Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination.
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
