ISLAMABAD, June 12 2015: The Senate continued debate on a motion to make recommendations to the National Assembly on Finance Bill, 2015 during 6^th sitting of 116^th session on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Seven lawmakers, including two from PTI, followed by one each of PML-N, PPPP, JUI-F, ANP and an Independent legislator, debated the Annual Budget statement for 87 minutes (63 % of proceedings’ time).

Starting at the scheduled time, the Senate sitting witnessed low attendance of legislators as 15 members (14%) were present at the start and 32 (31%) at the end of the sitting.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and 19 minutes.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman was also present.
•  The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Opposition Leader was present for an hour and 58 minutes.
• Parliamentary leaders of BNP-M, PML-F, PkMAP, PPPP, MQM, PML, PML-N, JUI-F and ANP attended the sitting.
• 15 members (14% of the total membership – 104) were present at the outset and 32 (31%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 42 lawmakers (40%) were present at one point of the sitting.
• Two minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
• Four legislators applied for leave.

Output

• Chairman Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research presented report of the Committee on the Seed Amendment Bill, 2015.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Seven lawmakers debated the Finance Bill for 87 minutes (63 % of proceedings’ time) which included two from PTI followed by one each of PML-N, PPPP, JUI-F, ANP and an Independent legislator.
• The House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) which was related to the rapid increase in slum areas (Kachi Abadis) all over the country especially in Islamabad Capital Territory.
• Another CAN about alleged irregularities and rigging in the recent Local Bodies elections in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was not taken up.
• The Chair did not admit an adjournment motion regarding appointment of officers of BPS-21 and 22 in the provinces of Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Six points of order consumed 15 minutes of the sitting.

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.  

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This publication is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.