ISLAMABAD, February 17, 2016: The National Assembly concluded the discussion on the motion under rule 259 regarding petroleum prices and PIA issues while skipping the legislative business on Wednesday during fourth sitting of 29^th session, 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 36 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1040 hours against its scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Speaker chaired the proceeding for 73 minutes while the Deputy Speaker presided over the rest of the proceeding.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 86 minutes.
• Nine Federal Ministers attended the sitting.
• 34 MNAs (10%) were present at outset and 42 (12%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, QWP-S, BNP, ANP, PML, APML and AMLP were present.
• Six minority members were present.

Output

• The Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization laid before the House the Annual report of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
• The House did not take up a bill appearing on Orders of the Day.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The government orally responded to 12 out of 43 starred questions while the lawmakers asked 17 supplementary questions as well.
• Ten lawmakers including the two federal ministers spoke for an hour and 58 minutes on the Motion under Rule 259 regarding petroleum prices and implementation of the Pakistan Essential Services Act, 1952 in Pakistan International Airlines.
• The government replied to two Calling Attention Notices regarding indecent and fictitious advertisements on television channels and increase in the prices of medicines.

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.