ISLAMABAD, November 5, 2013: The Lower House continued debate on American drone attacks during the second sitting of the sixth session on Tuesday.

Nine members shared their views on the subject. Two JUIF MNAs and one member each from PPPP, AMLP, MQM, JI, PMLN, PTI and an independent member took part in the debate which consumed two hours and 49 minutes of the proceedings.

The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 57 minutes while the remaining proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker. The Prime Minister was absent while the Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting.

The quorum, lacking at some points in the sitting, was pointed out by a PPPP lawmaker. However, it was found complete after the chair ordered for a members’ recount.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Lower House met for three hours and twelve minutes.
• The sitting started at 1120 hours, witnessing a delay of 20 minutes against the scheduled starting time of 1100 hours.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 57 minutes while the remaining proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Prime Minister was absent while the Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 57 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of AMLP, PkMAP, MQM, ANP, JUIF and JI were present.
• Seventy-five members were present at the outset while 60 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 152 members were present at one point of sitting.
• Five minority members attended the sitting.
• Thirteen members applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House continued discussion on the recent American drone attacks for two hours and 49 minutes. Nine MNAs debated the motion -Two JUI-F MNAs and one each from PPPP, AMLP, MQM, JI, PMLN, PTI and independent members took part in the discussion.
• A PPPP MNA pointed out the missing quorum, however, it was found complete on a members’ recount consuming three minutes of the proceedings.

Order and Institutionalization

• MNAs spoke on three points of order for nine 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.

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