Senate Debates Political Situation, Adopts Two Resolutions

ISLAMABAD, August 18, 2014: The Senate adopted two resolutions and discussed the current political situation owning to protests and sit-ins by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Islamabad during the 4th sitting of 107th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The Upper House debated the political scenario after adopting an adjournment motion tabled by a PPPP senator. Seven senators – PPPP and ANP (3 each) and PkMAP (one) – participated in the debate for an hour and 36 minutes.

Tabled by a PPPP senator, the House passed a resolution seeking concrete steps to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Another resolution tabled by a PPPP Senator to amend the Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order 2009 for further empowering the people of the region was also adopted.

The House approved an amendment motion that the Joint Sitting Rules will apply on the meetings of the Electoral Reforms Committee of the Parliament. A resolution was earlier adopted on June 27, 2014, by the House to constitute a committee for the committee.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

  • The Senate met for two hours and three minutes.
  • The sitting started at 1658 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours with a delay of 58 minutes.
  • The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
  • Sixteen senators (15%) were present at the outset, 28 (27%) at the adjournment while a maximum of 35 (33%) at one point during the proceedings.
  • The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML-N, ANP, PkMAP, JUI-F and NP attended the sitting.
  • Two minority members attended the sitting.
  • Nine members applied for leave.
  • The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.

Output

  • Tabled by a PPPP Senator, the House adopted a resolution seeking concrete steps to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
  • The House adopted a resolution tabled by a PPPP senator to amend the Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order 2009 to further empower the people of the region.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The Senate discussed the current political situation due to protests and sit-ins by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Islamabad after adopting an adjournment motion tabled by a PPPP senator.
  • Seven Senators – PPPP and ANP (3 each) and PkMAP (one) – participated in the debate for an hour and 36 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

  • Only point of order consumed one minute of the proceedings.

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 has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. 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 excepted.