ISLAMABAD, June 23, 2014: As many as 24 lawmakers discussed the annual budget for four hours and 36 minutes during 7th sitting of the Sindh Assembly’s ongoing budget session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Eighteen members of PPPP shared their views on budgetary proposals for three hours and 32 minutes, followed by three MQM lawmakers for 31 minutes, two PML-F legislators for 32 minutes and one PML-N lawmaker for 11 minutes.
The long-stretched sitting, which met for six hours and 35 minutes, started with the delay of 49 minutes.
Provincial Information Minister condemned the recent ban on a news channel. Five lawmakers spoke on it for nine minutes.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings
- The Sindh Assembly met for six hours and 35 minutes, taking a lunch break of an hour and 29 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1049 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 49 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for four hours and 27 minutes while remaining proceedings were chaired by Deputy Speaker.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for four hours and 46 minutes.
- Provincial Minister for Finance did not attend the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of all parliamentary parties attended the sitting.
- Thirty-one members were present at the outset while 32 at the adjournment. A maximum of 81 members were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Four minority members attended the sitting.
- Three members applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- As many as 24 lawmakers discussed the annual budget for four hours and 36 minutes.
- Eighteen members of PPPP shared their view on budgetary proposals for three hours and 32 minutes followed by three MQM lawmakers for 31 minutes, two PML-F lawmakers for 32 minutes and one PML-N lawmaker for 11 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- PML-N lawmaker pointed out the quorum but the Chair ignored it.
- The House witnessed rumpus for three minutes when lawmakers of treasury and opposition benches criticized each other.
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
