ISLAMABAD, September 26, 2013: The National Assembly adopted four resolutions during the ninth sitting of the fifth session on Thursday.
The resolutions called for the government to ensure security in Islamabad Capital Territory and to control the use of fake SIMs, rising prices of petroleum and load shedding. The resolutions were moved by PTI, MQM and PPPP lawmakers. A resolution regarding manufacturing, import and sale of toy weapons was left unaddressed.

The House took up two calling attention notices on a proposal of Twin Islamabad City Project and the arrest of a PIA pilot by the UK police. Both the calling attention notices were addressed to the Cabinet Secretariat.

The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 55 minutes and the remaining time was chaired by a member of Panel of Chairpersons. The Prime Minister did not attend the proceedings. The Leader of the Opposition and the parliamentary leaders of PML-F, JI, PkMAP, ANP, and PML were present.

Fifty-seven lawmakers spoke on a motion under rule 259 on the price hike of agricultural products for 57 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for four hours and 25 minutes. The House took a 40-minute prayer break.
• The sitting started at 1100 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 30 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 55 minutes. The remaining time was chaired by a member of Panel of Chairpersons. The Deputy Speaker was absent.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the proceedings. The Leader of the Opposition was present for 110 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-F, JI, PkMAP, ANP, and PML were present.
• Sixty-seven members were present at the outset while 73 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 172 members were present at one point of sitting.
• Seven minority members attended the sitting.
• Eleven members applied for leave.
• A PTI lawmaker took oath during the sitting.
• The House adopted four resolutions on the orders of the day calling upon the government to ensure security in Islamabad Capital Territory; to control the use of fake SIMs; rising prices of petroleum; and load shedding of electricity in the country. The resolutions were moved by PTI, MQM and PPPP lawmakers. A resolution regarding manufacturing, import and sale of toy weapons was left unaddressed.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Nine of 30 starred questions on the agenda were taken up and received answers on the floor. Additionally, 25 supplementary questions were also asked.
• Two calling attention notices were taken up. These were about a proposal of Twin Islamabad City Project and the arrest of a PIA pilot by the UK police. Both the notices were addressed to the Cabinet Secretariat.
• Ten members spoke on a motion under rule 259 regarding rising prices of agricultural products for 57 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• MNAs spoke on 15 points of order for 63 minutes.
• No protests, walkouts, boycotts were recorded 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.

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