Five private members’ bills introduced in National Assembly

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday witnessed the introduction of five private members’ bills that could not be forwarded to the relevant standing committees due to their non-existence, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Fact-sheet.

Under the Rule 200 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in National Assembly 2007, the Speaker is bound to constitute all the standing and functional committees within 30 days after the election of the Leader of the House. Since the Leader of the House was elected on August 18, more than three dozen House Committees have not been formed so far.

The National Assembly met for two hours and 36 minutes. The sitting started at 1123 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours. The Deputy Speaker presided over the entire sitting in the absence of Speaker. The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting. The Leader of the Opposition, who was brought to the House from jail on the production orders of the Speaker, attended the sitting for an hour and 17 minutes.

Sixty-three lawmakers (18%) were present at the outset while 79 (23%) at the adjournment of the sitting. The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, MMAP, GDA and PPPP attended the sitting. Six out of 10 minority lawmakers were also present.

The House witnessed the introduction of five private members’ bills including the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2018] (Articles 25B, 51, 63B, 92 and 106); the Pakistan Psychological Council Bill, 2018; the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2018; the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (Articles 106).

Three bills including the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (Article 37); the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (Articles 51 and 59) and the National Centre for Countering Violent Extremism Bill, 2018 were rejected by the House.

Two bills including the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018.] (Section 489F) and the National Accountability Bureau (Amendment) Bill, 2018 were deferred.

Two bills - the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2018] (Article 198) and the Home Based Business Opportunities for Widows, Transwomen, Single and Disabled Women Bill, 2018 - were withdrawn by their respective movers.

The House did not consider nine other private members’ bills; five resolutions, five motions under Rule 259 and a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) appearing on the agenda.

Minister for Petroleum Division responded to a CAN regarding low gas pressure in the suburbs of Mastung, Qalat, Noshki and Quetta Divisions.

Lawmakers spoke on 16 Points of Order for 45 minutes. The opposition lawmakers staged a walkout for six minutes against the disorderly conduct of the proceedings.

The House was adjourned to meet again on December 12, 2018 (Wednesday) at 1100 hours.