ISLAMABAD, February 03, 2014: The Sindh Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday, condemning the terrorist attack on media, besides passing Prevention of Defacement of Property Bill, 2013, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Fact sheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

The resolution, moved by MQM lawmaker, condoled with the families of the martyrs and demanded adequate compensation for them. Later, the Chief Minister announced compensation for the slain journalist of a private TV channel.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs laid The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Ordinance, 2013 in the House. He also laid the report on 2nd Biannual Monitoring on the Implementation of National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for the period of January-June, 2012, as required under clause 3(B) of Article 160 of the Constitution.

The House witnessed uproar when PTI’s legislator moved a resolution to condemn the attack on polio vaccinators in Qayyumabad, Karachi.

Two MQM legislators moved a privilege motion regarding the constitution of standing committees, as per the rules and procedure of the Sindh Assembly, including the Public Accounts Committee, which was turned down by the House.

Minister for Education under rule 261, gave a policy statement on the state of education in the province. He also announced to put ban on transfers and postings of teachers.

The Special Committee report on the firing incidents of Umerkot and Tharparkar was deferred till next session.

The Leader of the Opposition attended the proceeding for an hour and 20 minutes while the Chief Minister was present for an hour and 30 minutes. The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Sindh Assembly met for four hours.
• The sitting started at 1125 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 25 minutes.
• The House took a prayer break for three minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the proceedings for an hour and 20 minutes while the Chief Minister was present for an hour and 30 minutes.
• The Parliamentary leader of PPPP, PML-N, MQM, PML-F and PTI were present.
• Fifty-six members were present at the outset while 65 were there at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 101 members were observed to be present at a point during the sitting.
• Five minority members attended the sitting.
• Four members applied for leave.

Output

• The House passed Prevention of Defacement of Property Bill, 2013.
• The House adopted a resolution, tabled by MQM legislator, condemning the attack on a private TV channel’s satellite van.

Representation and Responsiveness

• All of the three Starred Questions appearing on the agenda were taken up. Additionally, lawmakers asked 16 supplementary questions.
• The relevant ministers were present and answered the questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• Legislators spoke on 21 points of order consuming 31 minutes. 
• An adjournment motion was taken up in the House.

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