ISLAMABAD, February 21, 2014: Sindh Assembly, on Friday, passed two resolutions each on enrollment in schools and extension of MPA Hostels during ninth sitting of ongoing eleventh session, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings of the House.

The two resolutions were brought out-of-turn as they were not included in agenda. The House resolved that political parties of Pakistan together pledge for ensuring 100% enrollment and dramatically improving the quality of education in Sindh. The other resolution urged provincial government to approach federal government for acquiring three barracks in its occupation for extension of MPAs Hostel. Both resolutions were sponsored by lawmakers belonging to PPPP.

The Chairman of Special Committee also laid report of the committee on The Sindh Healthcare Commission Bill, 2013.

The House took up five calling attention notices (CANs). Three CANs were sponsored by MQM lawmakers, and one each by PML-F and PTI legislators. The lawmakers drew attention of the government towards the police officials involved in criminal activities, appointments in Education & Literacy department, un-checked consumption of alcohol in Clifton, Local Government elections, and problems faced by residents of Sukkur.

The lawmakers belonging to MQM withdrew an adjournment motion about law and order situation in Khairpur and Shikarpur districts after the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs minister opposed it on technical grounds. The minister was of the opinion that the text of the motion did not comply with the Rules of Procedure.

A privilege motion of two MQM members regarding misbehavior of a police officer with the lawmakers was also taken up and referred to a five-member special committee.

The parliamentary secretary for Wildlife Department replied to all six starred questions (requiring oral as well as written reply) included in the agenda. Additionally, members asked 39 supplementary questions. The lawmakers also raised six points of order consuming ten minutes of the proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 45 minutes taking a three minute break for Azan.
• The sitting started at 1130 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of one and a half hour.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was also present.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, and PML-F attended the sitting.
• Sixty members were present at the outset while 52 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 80 members were observed to be present at a point during the sitting.
• Four minority members attended the sitting.
• Eight members applied for leave.

Output

• The Assembly adopted two resolution, brought out-of-turn as they were not included in agenda, regarding education and extension of MPAs Hostel.
• The House resolved that political parties of Pakistan together pledge for ensuring 100% enrolment and dramatically improving the quality of education in Sindh. The other resolution urged provincial government to approach federal government for acquiring three barracks in its occupation for extension of MPAs Hostel.
• The Chairman of Special Committee also laid its report on The Sindh Healthcare Commission Bill, 2013.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up five CANs of which three were sponsored by MQM lawmakers, and one each by PML-F and PTI legislators. The lawmakers drew attention of the government towards the police officials involved in criminal activities, appointments in Education & Literacy department, unchecked consumption of alcohol in Clifton, Local Government elections, and problems faced by residents of Sukkur.
• The lawmakers belonging to MQM withdrew an adjournment motion about law and order situation in districts Khairpur and Shikarpur after the parliamentary affairs minister opposed it on technical grounds. The minister was of the opinion that the text of the motion did not comply with the Rules of Procedure.
• A privilege motion of two MQM members regarding misbehavior of a police officer with the lawmakers was also taken up and referred to a five-member special committee.
• The parliamentary secretary for Wildlife Department replied to all six starred questions (requiring oral as well as written reply) included in the agenda. Additionally, members asked 39 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers also raised six points of order consuming ten minutes of the proceedings.
• No incidents of protests/walkouts/boycotts were observed.

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