ISLAMABAD, November 12 2013: Three bills-The Ratification of International Treaties Bill, Criminal Law Amendment Bill and Pakistan Bait ul Maal Amendment Bill- were introduced during the seventh and the last sitting of sixth session of National Assembly on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation.

The National Assembly unanimously adopted a supplementary resolution seeking postponement of Local Government Elections and demanded of the “Election Commission of Pakistan to fix a practical date after ensuring that all legal and administrative arrangements are in place in the entire country.”

The House also adopted a resolution asking the government to take steps for functioning of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics as an autonomous body. The Leader of the Opposition and an independent member spoke on a resolution urging the government to take steps to alleviate poverty from the country.

The constitutional amendment bill seeking extension in the retirement age of the Chief Justice of Pakistan could not be tabled as the House rejected the move by majority vote. Members spoke on 11 Points of Order for two hours and 43 minutes (75% of the sitting time).

The sitting witnessed low attendance of the Members as 39 (11% of the current membership—340) were present at the outset of the sitting while 20 were there at the time of adjournment

The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was there for two hours and 32 minutes. The House was prorogued for an indefinite period.

Following are key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 37 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1058 hours against the schedule time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 28 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 49 minutes while the remaining proceeding was presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for two hours and 32 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of JUI-F, NP, PkMAP, PML, PML-F, BNP, ANP, AJIP, AMLP, APML, PML-Z, QWP were present.
• Chief Whips of PML-N and PPPP were present.
• Thirty-nine Members (11% of the total current membership – 340) were present at the outset while 20 (6%) were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 72 Members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
• Four Minority Members attended the sitting.
• The House observed 17-minute prayer break.
• Eleven members applied for leave.

Output

• Three bills- The Ratification of International Treaties Bill, Criminal Law Amendment Bill, Pakistan Bait ul Maal Amendment Bill- were introduced in the House and referred to their respective standing committees.
• Moved by a PTI Member, the House unanimously adopted a Supplementary Resolution seeking postponement of Local Bodies’ Elections.
• The House adopted the resolution demanding of the government to take steps to ensure that Pakistan Bureau of Statistics functions as an autonomous body.
• A resolution demanding of the government to take steps to alleviate poverty from the country was presented. Leader of the Opposition and an Independent MNA took part in the debate on it.
• The Constitutional Amendment Bill seeking extension in the retirement age of the Chief Justice of Pakistan could not be tabled as the House rejected the move by majority vote.

Order and Institutionalization

• Members spoke on 11 Points of Order for two hours and 43 minutes (75% of the sitting time).
• There were no instances of Protest, Boycotts or Walkouts.

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