ISLAMABAD, August 7, 2019: The Parliament of Pakistan unanimously adopted a resolution on Wednesday condemning the Indian move to change the special status of Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) and reiterated to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue and in accordance with international law, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Key observations of the proceedings during second and last sitting of the third Joint Session of Parliament include the following:

Members’ Participation

• The Majlis-e-Shoora met for eight hours and three minutes; however, the proceeding remained suspended for 46 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1132 hours against its scheduled time of 1100 hours.
• The Speaker of the National Assembly presided over the sitting for three hours and 38 minutes while rest of the proceedings were chaired by the Chairman Senate.
• The Deputy Chairman of Senate attended the sitting.
• The Leaders of the House (Prime Minister) and the Opposition in National Assembly did not attend the sitting..
• The Leaders of the House and Opposition in Senate were also present.
• As many as 93 Parliamentarians (21% of the total membership of Parliament – 446) were present at outset and 215 (48%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of JI, PkMAP, PPPP, JUI-F, ANP, PML-N, BNP-M and NP in the Senate were present.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, MQM, GDA, BAP, AMLP, MMAP and PPPP in National Assembly were present.

Output

• Moved by the Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, the House unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the Indian Presidential Order to change the special status of IHK by rendering Articles 370 and 35-A  of the Constitution of India ineffective. The three-page resolution also called upon the international community to intervene into the matter and warn India against any irresponsible action that may be dangerous to regional and world peace. As many as 30 lawmakers participated in the discussion on the subject for six hours and 49 minutes.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Two lawmakers including Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs spoke on points of order for two minutes.
• The Session was prorogued sine die.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

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