Fifty percent questions remained unaddressed due to absence of relevant ministers and not receiving reply from the departments concerned during the recent prorogued session of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. However, the House adopted five resolutions and passed four bills during four sittings held between January 24 and February 6, 2017.
Out of 34 Starred Questions, the House took up only nine questions (26%). In addition, legislators raised eight Supplementary Questions to gain further clarity on the government's response.
Despite low interest of the lawmakers, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly adopted five resolutions and passed four bills, including the KP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill, 2017, the KP Salaries, Allowances and Privileges Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2017, the KP Police Bill, 2017, and the KP Ehtesab Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
Likewise, the salaries of the ministers have also seen an upward trend and they have been increased from Rs 35,000 to Rs 180,000 while those of the MPAs from Rs 18,000 to Rs 80,000. The bills further clarify that the raise in salaries will be effective from July 1, 2016.
During the reporting period, the House also adopted five resolutions. They were related to banning the porn sites, mentioning names of small regional languages in the forms for upcoming census, ensuring legislation for Ruet-e-Hilal Committee through Parliament, constituting a committee for an effective legislation against AICE addiction and banning Muslims entry into the United States from different countries.
Another important factor of FAFEN's observation was the lawmakers' attendance that remained low throughout the session - with an average of 36 members (29%) present at the start and 35 (28%) at the end of each sitting. The quorum was pointed out thrice during the session while the Chair had to adjourn the sitting on one occasion.