ISLAMABAD, June 3, 2014: The incumbent government presented its second budget in the 14th National Assembly with a total outlay of Rs 3.945 trillion as 75 percent members attended the first sitting on Tuesday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization presented the budget 2014-15 during the first sitting of 12th session.

The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition were present during the entire sitting. The parliamentary leaders of PML, MQM, ANP and PTI did not attend the sitting.

The following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 15 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1740 hours against the scheduled time of 1630 hours   witnessing a delay of an hour and 10 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition were present during the entire sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML, MQM, ANP and PTI did not attend the sitting.
• A total of 258 legislators (75%) were present at the start and 194 (57%) at the end of the sitting. A maximum of 258 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• Eight minority members were present during the sitting.

Output

• The Finance Bill 2014 appearing on the Orders of the Day was taken up by the House.
• The Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization laid papers on Supplementary Demands for Grants and Appropriations for the financial year, 2013-2014 and Excess Demands for Grants and Appropriations for the years 2004-2005,2006-2007 and 2007-2008.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Presenting the budget, the Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization addressed the House for two hours and five minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• No Points of Order were raised during the sitting.
• An Independent lawmaker protested within the House twice during the budget speech over his reservations on a budgetary issue and not taking break for prayer.

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 copies of the budget speech were available to the members and concerned people.

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