ISLAMABAD, August 10, 2015: The Senate adopted two resolutions amid low attendance of lawmakers during sixth sitting of its ongoing session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet.

Sponsored by PkMAP lawmakers, the House adopted a resolution condemning the vacation of slum area (Katchi Abadi) in Sector I-11, Islamabad. The resolution also demanded of the government to facilitate the slum area inhabitants in getting appropriately reallocated.

Another supplementary resolution tabled by a female lawmaker from MQM was also adopted by the House. The resolution condemned the child abuse issue in Kasur and urged the government to arrest the accused. Fourteen lawmakers – three each from PPPP, PTI, PML-N, two from ANP and one each from MQM, JUI-F and NP – expressed their views on the aforementioned resolution while Chairman Senate also spoke on the matter for eight minutes.

The House concluded debate on two commenced motions under Rule 218 regarding responsibility of the Federation in pursuance of Article 148 of the Constitution and steps taken by the government to broaden the tax base in the country.

Three other commenced motions under Rule 218 along with a new motion appearing on the Orders of the Day were dropped due to movers’ absence. Nine lawmakers discussed a motion under Rule 218 about closure of textile industry due to high electricity and gas prices.

The House approved amendments in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012 to insert new Rules 162-B and 277.

 Some key observations are as follows:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for four hours and six minutes
• The sitting started at 1532 hours against the scheduled time of 1530 hours
• Chairman presided over the entire sitting
• Deputy Chairman was not present
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting
• The Opposition Leader was not present
• Prime Minister did not attend the sitting
• Nineteen (18%) senators were present at the start and 28 (27%) at the time of adjournment
• A maximum of 44 senators (42%) were present at one point of the sitting
• Parliamentary leaders of BNP-M, ANP, PPPP, PML-F and MQM were present
• Three minority members were present
• Ten members applied for leave.

Output

• Sponsored by PkMAP lawmakers, the House adopted a resolution condemning the vacation of slum area (Katchi Abadi) in Sector I-11, Islamabad. The resolution also demanded of the government to facilitate the slum area inhabitants in getting appropriately reallocated.
• Another supplementary resolution tabled by a female lawmaker from MQM was also adopted by the House. The resolution condemned the child abuse issue in Kasur and urged the government to arrest the accused.
• The House approved amendments in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012 to insert new Rules 162-B and 277.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House concluded debate on two commenced motions under Rule 218 regarding responsibility of the Federation in pursuance of Article 148 of the Constitution and steps taken by the government to broaden the tax base in the country.
• Three other commenced motions under Rule 218 along with a new motion appearing on the Orders of the Day were dropped due to movers’ absence.
• Nine lawmakers discussed a motion under Rule 218 about closure of textile industry due to high electricity and gas prices.

Order and Institutionalization

•  Twelve Points of Order consumed 46 minutes of the sitting

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public
• Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and public 

To download the factsheet, click here

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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.