ISLAMABAD, October 12, 2015: The Senate adopted two resolutions amid low attendance of lawmakers during the second private members’ day (6^th sitting) of ongoing 120^th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet.

Moved by JI lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution about increase in pension of the retired employees. Another resolution adopted by the House was moved by PTI female lawmaker which was about a special development package for an area `Amb’ in Districts Mansehra and Haripur.

The House witnessed low attendance as only nine (8%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 26 (25%) at the time of adjournment. The House did not consider two other resolutions due to absence of their movers which were about steps for poverty alleviation and restoring special allowance with rest and recreation leave for government employees.

Another resolution on the agenda regarding concession in custom duties and taxes for the importers of Balochistan was deferred after being opposed by the treasury lawmakers.  Two lawmakers each of PML-N and PkMAP spoke in it for 16 minutes.

A motion for an amendment proposed in rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure and conduct of Business in Senate 2012 was forwarded to the relevant committee for further consideration.

The House had a debate on an adjournment motion (AM) regarding dispatching of incorrect bills to consumers. Minister for Water and Power spoke on it 48 minutes followed by one PTI lawmaker for six minutes and an ANP lawmaker for two minutes.

The House discussed a commenced motion under Rule 218 about political situation in the country for 63 minutes. Nine lawmakers – PML-N (4), PkMAP (2), PTI, ANP and PPPP (one each) –participated in debate on it.

Following discussion on another motion under Rule 218 about Hajj policy of the government, the Chair stressed for the presence of Federal Minister of Religious Affairs in the next sitting. Earlier, two PPPP lawmakers and two PML-N lawmakers including State Minister for Religious Affairs spoke on it for 19 minutes.

Two others motions under Rule 218 discussed by the House were regarding performance of National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and present situation about exports in the country.  Both of them were responded by State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.

A motion about increase in population rate was moved but not discussed due to minister’s absence while other regarding devaluation of Pakistani rupee was dropped owing mover’s absence.

PML-N female lawmaker presented report of Standing Committee on Finance about the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2015.

Some key observations are as follows:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for three hours and 20 minutes
• The sitting started at 1439 hours against the scheduled time of 1430 hours
• Chairman presided over the entire sitting
• Deputy Chairman was not present
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Opposition Leader was not present.
• Prime Minister did not attend the sitting
• Nine  (8%) senators were present at the start and 26 (25%) at the time of adjournment
• Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML-N, PTI, JI and PkMAP were present
• Two minority members were present
• Eleven members applied for leave

Output

• The House adopted two resolutions about increasing pension of the retired employees and special development package for an area `Amb’ in Districts Mansehra and Haripur.

Representation and Responsiveness 

• The House had a debate on an AM regarding dispatching of incorrect bills to consumers. Minister for Water and Power spoke on it 48 minutes followed by one PTI lawmaker for six minutes and an ANP lawmaker for two minutes.
• A commenced motion under Rule 218 about political situation in the country was discussed for 63 minutes and nine lawmakers – PML-N (4), PkMAP (2), PTI, ANP and PPPP (one each) –participated in debate on it.
• Two PPPP lawmakers and two PML-N lawmakers including State Minister for Religious Affairs spoke on a motion under Rule 218 about Hajj policy for 19 minutes.
• Two others motions under Rule 218 discussed by the House were regarding performance of National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and present situation about exports in the country.

Order and Institutionalization

• Three points of order consumed three minutes of the proceedings. 

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public

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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.