ISLAMABAD, June 18, 2014: The Sindh Assembly discussed budget amidst uproar in the House over an opposition member’s remarks over the performance of a minister during the fourth sitting of 13th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Nine lawmakers – three each of PPPP and MQM and one each of PML-N, PTI and PML-F – spoke for an hour and 50 minutes. Most of the time – 71% – was given to the treasury lawmakers. The House witnessed uproar when a PML-N lawmaker passed a comment over a minister’s performance. The exchange of barbs and the rumpus continued for five minutes.
The House took up three of the nine starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) while the members asked 34 supplementary questions as well.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 26 minutes.
- The sitting began at 1040 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 40 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 26 minutes while the Deputy Speaker for an hour.
- The Chief Minister attended the sitting for an hour while the Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours and 30 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PTI, MQM, NPP and PML-F attended the sitting.
- Twelve members were present at the outset while 74 at the adjournment. A maximum of 76 members were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Four minority members attended the sitting.
- Two members applied for the leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Nine lawmakers – three each of PPPP and MQM and one each of PML-N, PTI and PML-F – spoke for an hour and 50 minutes. Most of the time – 71% – was given to the treasury lawmakers.
- The House took up three of the nine starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) while the members asked 34 supplementary questions as well.
Order and Institutionalization
- The House witnessed uproar when a PML-N lawmaker passed a comment over the performance of a minister. The exchange of barbs between the treasury and opposition members continued for five minutes.
- Two lawmakers spoke on as many points of order consuming five minutes of the proceedings.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was available to observers and the public.
The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), a member organization of FAFEN
