ISLAMABAD, January 5, 2016: The National Assembly left two thirds of its agenda unaddressed amidst low attendance during first Private Members’ Day of 28^th session on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 9 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1036 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the proceeding for 64 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the sitting.
• The Prime Minister was not present.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 50 minutes.
• 10 MNAs (3%) were present at outset and 42 (12%) at end of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, QWP-S, BNP, PML-Z, APML and AMLP were present.
• Seven minority members were present.
• Twelve members applied for leave.

Output

• The lawmakers belonging to MQM, JUI-F and PTI introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2016, the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the National Conflict of Interest Bill, 2016 respectively. The bills were referred to the relevant standing committees.
• The House adopted a resolution urging the government take steps to control the price-hike in the country. Fifteen MNAs discussed the resolution for 107 minutes.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) regarding indecent advertisements on TV channels and non-registration of all orphan children and orphanages in the country.
• The Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs gave a policy statement before the House regarding the stance of Pakistan on recent Middle East crisis. Meanwhile, six lawmakers expressed their opinions on the issue for 23 minutes.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• The attendance of lawmakers is available on website of National Assembly.

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This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceeding conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted