ISLAMABAD, September 19, 2013: The National Assembly continued to debate the presidential address during the fourth sitting of its fifth session on Thursday as a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) on increase in prices of petroleum products was taken up.

Eight lawmakers took part in the debate on the presidential address for one hour and 46 minutes. The Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2103 was also introduced.

The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 35 minutes while the remaining proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.

Eight out of 22 starred questions on the agenda were taken up on the floor. Additionally, 25 supplementary questions were asked.

MNAs spoke for 58 minutes on 20 issues under Rule 18 which allows the members to raise any matter which is not points of order.

MQM walked out from the proceedings for two minutes at 1520 hours over power outage in Hyderabad since the last day.

The House did not take up CAN regarding irregularities in reconstruction of 215 villages in Naseer Sub-Division, Khairpur-Gumbo and Sukkur Barrage, Sindh.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for four hours and 47 minutes. The House observed a 25-minute prayer break.
• The sitting started at 1040 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 10 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 35 minutes while the remaining proceedings were chaired by Deputy Speaker.
• The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, PML-F, and ANP were present.
• Forty members were present at the outset while 63 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 142 members were present at one point of sitting.
• Five minority members attended the sitting.
• Twelve members applied for leave.

Output

• Minister for Parliamentary Affairs introduced the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils  (Amendment) Bill, 2013.

Representation and Responsiveness

• A Calling Attention Notice (CAN) on increase in prices of petroleum products was taken up.
• Eight out of 22 starred questions on the agenda were taken up on the floor. Additionally, 25 supplementary questions were asked.
• Eight lawmakers shared their views on the presidential address for one hour and forty-six minutes. Three PPPP lawmakers spoke for 43 minutes followed by two PMLN MNAs (24 minutes), an MQM MNA (17 minutes), PTI (17 minutes) and JUI-F (5 minutes).
• PML-N MNA from Balochistan moved a privilege motion regarding raid of FC personnel at his house and harassment to his servants.

Order and Institutionalization

• Under Rule 18, MNAs spoke for 58 minutes on 20 issues which were not points of order.
• MQM walked out from the proceedings for two minutes at 1520 hours over power outage in Hyderabad since the last day.
• The quorum was pointed out by PTI MNA at 1351 hours. The Chair directed the assembly bells to be rung for five minutes and the proceedings resumed afterwards when the quorum was found complete.

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