ISLAMABAD, April 22, 2014: The Sindh Assembly left most of its private members’ agenda unaddressed on Tuesday and spent much time in debating a resolution against the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) during 13th sitting of 12th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
A MQM lawmaker moved a resolution by rejecting the PPO which was referred to the Standing Committee on Law & Parliamentary Affairs. Twenty-two lawmakers spoke on the resolution for two hours and ten minutes. A PTI lawmaker withdrew his resolution regarding playing national anthem before proceedings of the House. The member was directed to present it before the House after carrying out necessary amendments.
Two bills, three resolutions, five motions and an amendment in the Rules of Procedure of the Sindh Assembly were not taken up.
The House took up five of the eight starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) directed to the Livestock Department. The members asked 30 supplementary questions as well.
The Chair declared a privilege motion of MQM lawmakers regarding release of development funds against the rules of procedure. The Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs responded to an adjournment motion as well.
A member raised one point of order consuming two minutes of the proceedings.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The Sindh Assembly met for four hours and 26 minutes taking a three-minute break.
- The sitting started at 1017 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 17 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 33 minutes, the Deputy for two hours and 38 minutes while a member of the panel of chairperson presided over the sitting for 12 minutes.
- The Chief Minister was absent while the Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for two hours and 40 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PTI, MQM and PML-F attended the sitting.
- Twenty-five members were present at the outset while 68 at the adjournment. A maximum of 79 members were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Six minority members attended the sitting.
- Five members applied for the leave.
- An MQM lawmaker moved a resolution by rejecting the PPO which was referred to the Standing Committee on Law & Parliamentary Affairs. Twenty-two lawmakers spoke on the resolution for two hours and ten minutes. A PTI lawmaker withdrew his resolution regarding playing national anthem before proceedings of the House. The member was directed to present it before the House after carrying out necessary amendments.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up five of the eight starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) directed to the Livestock Department. The members asked 30 supplementary questions as well.
- The Chair declared a privilege motion of MQM lawmakers regarding release of development funds against the rules of procedure.
- The Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs responded to an adjournment motion as well.
Order and Institutionalization
- A member raised one point of order consuming two 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
