ISLAMABAD, August 12, 2015: The Senate discussed an Adjournment Motion regarding the loss of lives and properties due to recent flood in various parts of the country during the eighth sitting of its ongoing 118^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Thirteen lawmakers – six from PPPP, three from PML-N, two from PkMAP and one each from JUI-F and ANP – debated the AM for 57 minutes while Minister for Climate Change concluded the discussion in his 19 minutes speech.

The sitting started at 1538 hours against the scheduled time of 1530 hours with 11 (10%) lawmakers present at the outset and 25 (24%) at the time of adjournment.

The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) regarding extremely dilapidated condition of Western Service Road for G-11 and F-11 sectors in Islamabad and decrease in number of posts for grade 1 to 15 from 737 to 310.

The Chair deferred two AMs regarding MQM Chief’s controversial statements and establishment of a National Security Committee for drafting strategic course of action against security challenges. Another AM about suspension of Imam Masjid by the administration of Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad was rejected by the Chair.

The House passed a motion authorizing the Chairman Senate to make changes in the composition of the Functional Committee on Devolution in consultation with the Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition.

Chairman Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions presented report on a public petition regarding revival of FATA Tribunal. Likewise, a female lawmaker from PML-N presented report of Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on a starred question regarding renovation of Peshawar Airport.

The House discussed a motion under Rule 60 regarding restrictions on banned militant outfits and their resurrection under a different name or as charity organization. Four lawmakers – two from PPPP and one each of PML-N and PkMAP – spoke on the motion for 26 minutes while State Minister for Interior concluded the debate during his two-minute speech.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for three hours and 54 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1538 hours against the scheduled time of 1530 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for two hours and 58 minutes while remaining proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting.
• The Opposition Leader and the Prime Minister were not present.
• Eleven senators (10%) were present at the start and 25 (24%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 41 Senators (39%) attended the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, JUI-F and BNP-M were present.
• Two minority members were present.
• Four members applied for leave.

Output

• Chairman Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions presented report on a public petition regarding revival of FATA Tribunal.
• A female lawmaker from PML-N presented report of Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on a starred question regarding renovation of Peshawar Airport.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) regarding extremely dilapidated condition of Western Service Road for G-11 and F-11 sectors in Islamabad and decrease in number of posts for grade 1 to 15 from 737 to 310.
• An AM regarding the loss of lives and properties due to recent flood in various parts of the country was discussed by the House for 76 minutes.
• The Chair deferred two AMs regarding statement of MQM Chief’s controversial statements and establishment of a National Security Committee for drafting strategic course of action against security challenges.
• Another AM about suspension of Imam Masjid by the administration of Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad was rejected by the Chair.
• Eleven out of 34 starred questions appearing on the agenda were taken up. Additionally, the legislators raised 33 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers raised 16 Points of Order that consumed 30 minutes of the sitting time.
• A PkMAP lawmaker walked out of the House for three minutes over unsatisfactory reply to a question he raised.
• PPPP, PML, ANP and PkMAP lawmakers also staged a token walk out for one-minute against the attitude of treasury lawmakers supporting construction of Kalabagh Dam.

Transparency

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

To download the factsheet, click here

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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 are excepted.