Senate Condemns Blasphemous Content on Social Media

ISLAMABAD, March 10, 2017: The Senate adopted a resolution condemning circulation of blasphemous content about religious personalities on social media on Friday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings during the sixth sitting of 260th session:

Members’ Participation

  • The Senate met for two hours and 34 minutes.
  • The sitting started16 minutes behind the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
  • The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
  • Deputy Chairman was also present.
  • The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 31 minutes.
  • The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
  • Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, JUI-F, PkMAP, PTI, PML-F, NP and JI attended the sitting.
  • Eighteen (17% of the total membership – 104) lawmakers were present at the start and 20 (19%) at the adjournment of sitting.
  • All minority legislators (4) attended the proceedings.

 Output

  • Tabled by PML lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution denouncing the circulation of objectionable material about religious personalities on the social media.
  • Moved by the Leader of the House, the House passed the Senate Secretariat Services Bill, 2017.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The House passed a motion under Rule 194 (1) to grant extension to Select committee for presentation of its report on the  Right  to  Information Bill, 2016.
  • The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) regarding unsafe blood transfusion in Islamabad and non-exploration of oil and gas from Sui Ragha, District Musakhel.
  • The House took up all starred Questions (38) appearing on the agenda. In addition, lawmakers asked 22 Supplementary Questions.
  • The Chair admitted an Adjournment Motion about increase in the prices of petroleum products for discussion in the House.

 Order and Institutionalization

  • The lawmakers spoke on 16 Points of Public Importance consuming 61 minutes.
  • The entire Opposition staged walkout for four minutes over unsatisfactory reply to a CAN by Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division.

 Transparency

  • Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
  • The attendance of lawmakers is available on the website.

This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted