ISLAMABAD, February 14, 2014: The government laid the Gas (Theft Control and Recovery) Ordinance 2014 in the Upper House during the 9^th sitting of its 101^st session on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The House also took up a calling attention notice (CAN), sponsored by five PPPP legislators, including two females, regarding the resignation of Governor State Bank of Pakistan which was responded to by the Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics.

The House took up all 19 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) while 30 supplementary questions were also asked.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and 56 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1043 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours with a delay of 43 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Eleven senators were present at the outset, 33 at the adjournment while a maximum of 40 at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PkMAP, PML-F, PML-N and ANP attended the sitting.
• Three minority members attended the sitting.
• Eight members applied for leave.
• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.

Output

• The Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights laid the Gas (Theft Control and Recovery) Ordinance 2014.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sponsored by five PPPP legislators including two females, a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding the resignation of Governor State Bank of Pakistan was taken up and responded by the Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics.
• All 19 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) on the agenda were taken up while 30 supplementary questions were also asked.

Order and Institutionalization

• Legislators spoke on 11 points of order for 31 minutes.

• There were no incidents of protests, walkouts and boycotts

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on senators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.  

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization; a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted.