ISLAMABAD, September 9, 2013: The law and order situation in Karachi took more than half the time of the Sindh Assembly’s sixth session on Monday.

An Adjournment Motion on the issue was moved by five MQM legislators. Eighteen MPAs spoke in the subsequent discussion, which lasted for 3 hours and 41 minutes. The Sindh Information Minister assured the house that the government is taking steps to improve law and order in Karachi, suggesting that the government and the opposition should join hands to resolve the issue.

The assembly also adopted two resolutions during the single-sitting session. The first one paid tribute to former President Asif Ali Zardari on the completion of his five-year term, while the second resolution reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to improving literacy in the province.

All six questions on the agenda addressed to the Ministry for Food were taken up and MPAs asked 27 supplementary questions. The relevant minister was present to answer the questions.

Three newly-elected MPAs took oath during the sitting.

The session was chaired by the Speaker for five hours and 17 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired it for 47 minutes. The Chief Minister did not attend the session. The Opposition Leader was present for 5 hours and 11 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for six hours and 4 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1043 hours against the scheduled 0930 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 13 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for five hours and 17 minutes while the remaining time was chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of Opposition attended it for 5 hours and 11 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of MQM, PTI and PML-N were present.
• Three newly-elected MPAs took the oath during the sitting.
• Eighty-five MPAs were present at the start of sitting and 93 at the end. A maximum of 124 members were present at one point during the sitting.
• Five minority members were present.
  

Output

• The House adopted two resolutions. One paid tribute to former President Asif Ali Zardari on the completion of his five-year term in office and the other reaffirmed the house’s commitment and support to the cause of literacy in connection with the International Literacy Day on September 8.
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• Six questions appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministry. Additionally, 27 supplementary questions were asked.
• An Adjournment Motion moved by five MQM members on law and order in Karachi was taken up. Eighteen MPAs spoke on the motion consuming three hours and 41 minutes of the proceedings.
• An MQM lawmaker moved a privilege motion against inclusion of his name in a list of criminals.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Seven Points of Order were raised and MPAs spoke for eight minutes on them.
• There were no instances of protests, boycotts or walkouts.
  

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on legislators’ attendance was available to the observers.

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), a member organization of FAFEN