ISLAMABAD, September 18, 2015: The Senate continued to witness low attendance as only 12 (11%) legislators were present at the start and 24 (23%) at the time of adjournment during the last sitting of its 119th session on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its daily factsheet.
The quorum was visibly lacking during the various stages of the fifth and last sitting, however it was not pointed out by any lawmaker in the House. The Prime Minister and Leader of the House did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 68% (126 minutes) of the proceeding’s time.
The House witnessed introduction of the Islamabad Subordinate Judiciary Service Tribunal Bill, 2015 which was referred to the relevant committee for further deliberations.
An adjournment motion (AM) regarding disconnection of gas to Pakistan Steel Mills by Sui Southern Gas Company was discussed by five lawmakers – two each from PTI and PML-N and one from PPPP. The discussion lasted for 14 minutes. Chairman Senate spoke on the issue for one minute following which the State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources concluded the debate during his 16-minute speech.
The Chair admitted an AM about production of spurious and substandard medicines in the country for debate in any of next sitting. A Calling Attention Notice (CAN) on ignoring Rural Sind’s quota in the recent advertisement published in national newspapers about the vacancies in FIA was taken up while another CAN on the agenda was not taken up due to mover’s absence. This CAN was regarding collection of a pre-paid coupon (adjustable against shopping) worth Rs. 300 from each person belonging to the under privileged class by the administration of Centaurus mall, Islamabad.
The House witnessed presentation of annual report for the National Commission on the Status of Women for the year 2013. Another report of Special Committee on Pakistan China Economic Corridor (CPEC) was also presented.
Chairman, Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented report regarding corruption in Federal Government Departments which would be debated in any of the next sitting.
The House passed two motions to extend the time period for presentation of two reports up to 30 days which were related to Standing Committees on National Food Security and Petroleum & Natural Resources.
State Minister for Water and Power presented periodical report on a matter referred by the House regarding non-implementation of the decision taken by the Chief Minister and Zimindar Action Committee through which the QESCO was bound to provide electricity to agriculturists for eight hours at Rs.10,000 per month.
Some key observations are as follows:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for three hours and five minutes.
- The sitting started at 1001 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
- Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
- The Deputy Chairman was not  present.
- The Leader of the House did not attend the sitting.
- The Opposition Leader attended the sitting for 125 minutes.
- Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
- Twelve (11%) senators were present at the start and 24 (23%) at the time of adjournment.
- Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, BNP-M, PML-N, PML-F and ANP were present.
- Two minority members were present.
- Three members applied for leave.
Output
- The House witnessed introduction of the Islamabad Subordinate Judiciary Service Tribunal Bill, 2015 which was referred to the relevant committee for further deliberations.
- Annual report of the National Commission on the Status of Women for the year 2013 and another report of the Special Committee on the CPEC project were also presented.
- Chairman, Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented report regarding corruption in Federal Government Departments.
Representation and Responsiveness
- An adjournment motion (AM) regarding disconnection of gas to Pakistan Steel Mills by Sui Southern Gas Company was discussed by five lawmakers – two each from PTI and PML-N and one from PPPP. The discussion lasted for 14 minutes. Chairman Senate spoke on the issue for one minute following which the State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources concluded the debate during his 16-minute speech.
- The Chair admitted an AM about production of spurious and substandard medicines in the country for debate in any of next sitting.
- A CAN regarding ignoring Rural Sind’s quota in the recent advertisement published in national newspapers about the vacancies in FIA was taken up.
- Another CAN on the agenda about collection of a pre-paid coupon (adjustable against shopping) worth Rs. 300 from each person belonging to the under privileged class by the administration of Centaurus mall, Islamabad was not taken up due to absence of mover.
- Eight out of 32starred questions appearing on the agenda were answered by the relevant departments while the Senators also raised 28 supplementary questions.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers raised 17 POs which took up 38 minutes of the proceedings’ time.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
To download the factsheet, click here
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.
