Quetta:The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan passed two government bills amidst opposition’s walkout previous evening, observers Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
The Assembly met for four hours and 11 minutes. The sitting started at 1648 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours. The Speaker chaired the entire sitting. The Chief Minister attended the sitting. The Leader of the Opposition was present in the sitting.
As many as 47 (72%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 24 (37%) at the adjournment of sitting. The parliamentary leaders of BAP, HDP, ANP, BNP-M, MMA and PTI were present. As many as two out of three minority members attended the sitting. Three newly elected members took oath and signed the roll of members. As many as six members applied for leave of absence. The Speaker nominated a Panel of Chairpersons comprising four members – two from BNP-M, and one each from MMA and PTI.
The House passed two government bills namely the University of Gwadar Bill 2018 and the Balochistan Government Benevolent Fund Bill 2018. As many as eight lawmakers debated these bills for 43 minutes.
The Minister for Forestry responded to a Call Attention Notice submitted by a BNP-M lawmaker regarding forest cutting in district Kalat.
As many as 17 members spoke on nine Points of Orders consuming an hour and 8 minutes.
The lawmakers belonging to opposition staged a walkout against passage of the Balochistan Government Benevolent Fund Bill 2018.