ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was adjourned on Friday due to lack of quorum without taking up any of the agenda item, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Following are key observations of the proceedings during seventh sitting of 50th session:
The National Assembly met for an hour and 22 minutes of which the proceedings remained suspended for 49 minutes due to lack of quorum. The sitting started at 1039 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours. The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
The Deputy Speaker did not attend the sitting. The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting. Forty-five lawmakers (13%) were present at the outset and 72 (21%) at the adjournment of sitting. The parliamentary leaders of APML and PPPP attended the sitting. Two minority members were present.
The House did not take up periodical reports of five Standing Committees, a motion of thanks and two Calling Attention Notices (CANs). The House did not hold question hour and the Chair recommended to the Prime Minister to suspend Secretary Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division for three days over non-reply of questions related to his Ministry.
Seven lawmakers spoke on as many Points of Order consuming 19 minutes of the proceedings. AMLP lawmaker staged a walkout at 1055 hours for not including FATA Reforms Bill on the agenda which was later joined by PPPP, MQM and other opposition lawmakers.
They did not return to the House till adjournment of sitting at 1201 hours. A PPPP lawmaker pointed out quorum at 1105 hours that led to the suspension of the proceedings for 49 minutes. The sitting resumed again at 1156 hours but it had to be adjourned over lack of quorum at 1201 hours after counting.
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