NA defers constitutional amendment for increasing ex-FATA seats

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly, on Thursday, deferred the passage of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at increasing the representation of newly merged tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in National and Provincial Assemblies, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in the Daily Factsheet.

The House met for three hours and four minutes; however, the proceedings remained suspended for 23-minute prayer break and 17-minute causal break.

The proceedings started at 1443 hours against the scheduled time of 1400 hours. The Speaker presided over the entire sitting. The Deputy Speaker was not present. The Leaders of the House and the Opposition did not attend the sitting.

As many as 109 lawmakers (32%) were present at the outset and 136 (40%) at the adjournment of the sitting. The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, MMAP, PML, GDA, AMLP, PPPP and BAP attended the sitting. As many as eight out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training introduced the University of Islamabad Bill, 2019. It was referred to the relevant committee for further consideration.

Chairman Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented report of the Committee on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

The House passed a motion to suspend rule for consideration of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019. However, it deferred the further consideration and passage of the bill aimed at increasing the representation of newly merged tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in National Assembly and KP Assembly.

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs responded to a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding poor performance of cell phone towers in the country.

Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination responded to another CAN about increase in the number of polio cases in the country due to rise in refusal rate to administer polio vaccine to children.

The ministers responded to 12 out of 36 Starred Questions during the proceedings. In addition, lawmakers asked 20 supplementary questions as well.

The House did not take up a Motion under Rule 259 and Motion of Thanks to the President for his address to the Parliament.

The opposition protested on floor of the House for 11 minutes during the speech of the Minister for Communications and Postal Services on a political issue. The Chair adjourned the House to meet again on May 10, 2019 (Friday) at 1030 hours.