National Assembly passes two bills seeking amendments to electoral laws - Press Release issued by Free and Fair Election Network.

Islamabad -- June 10, 2021 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)

Quote

The National Assembly, amid opposition's protest on Thursday, passed 21 government bills including two legislative proposals seeking amendments to the electoral laws, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during the third sitting of 34th session:

Members' Participation

The National Assembly for four hours and 19 minutes; however, the proceedings remained suspended for 23 minutes due to prayer break.

The sitting started at 04:23 pm against the scheduled time of 04:00 pm.

The speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and 11 minutes while the remaining sitting was chaired by the Deputy Speaker.

The leaders of the House (Prime Minister) and the opposition did not attend the sitting.

As many as 61 (18 percent) lawmakers were present at the outset and 51 (15 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.

The parliamentary leader of PPPP, PML and BAP attended the sitting.

Eight minority lawmakers were present.

Output

The House witnessed introduction of three government bills which were referred to the relevant committees for consideration. These bills were the Pakistan Allied Health Professionals Council Bill, 2021; the Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Mutual Legal Assistance (Criminal Matters) (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Nine reports of various standing committees on as many legislative proposals were presented.

The House passed a motion with majority vote seeking leave to suspended the rules for consideration of the Financial Institutions (Secured Transactions) (Amendment) Bill, 2021. One hundred and twelve (112) lawmakers voted in favour of the motion, while 101 lawmakers opposed it. Subsequently, the House passed the same bill after clause by clause reading.

The House passed 20 other government bills with majority vote after voice voting. These bills were the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2020; the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Port Qasim Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Gwadar Port Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Bill, 2020; the Mutual Legal Assistance (Criminal Matters) (Amendment)...