ISLAMABAD, August 26, 2013: On the private members day in the Senate on Monday, six bills were introduced and two resolutions adopted during the sixth sitting of the 97^th session.

Of them, three bills proposed amendments in the constitution. An Independent Senator moved two bills seeking amendments in Article 1 (empowering the parliament to create new provinces) and Article 140A (local government elections) of the constitution respectively. Two PPPP Senators moved a bill to seek amendment in Articles 51 and 106 (reserved seats for workers) of the constitution.  

Two bills moved by an MQM Senator called for amending the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Act 2012 and establishing Pakistan Pharmacy Council. A PPPP Senator tabled a bill on rehabilitating unattended orphans.

The House also adopted two resolutions calling upon the government “to eradicate the manufacturing and sale of spurious and substandard drugs”, and to implement international obligations on global warming and environmental pollution in the country. The resolutions were moved by JUIF and PPPP Senators respectively.

The sitting was presided over by the Chairman. The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition as well as the parliamentary leaders of JUIF, MQM and PPPP were present.

Four motions under rule 218 on the government’s Afghan policy and opening of Taliban office in Qatar, payment of compensation to decree holders of land acquired for AFV Ranges in Nowshera for the last several decades, procedure for  appointing judges in the superior courts and alleged irregularities / rigging in Elections 2013 were deferred. The four motions were moved by PPPP Senators.

The ANP lawmakers, supported by the entire opposition, staged a walkout to protest against police delaying registration of FIR on the killing of ANP lawmaker’s cousin in Balochistan.

The chair adjourned the proceedings immediately after the walkout.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and 35 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1710 hours witnessing delay of an hour and 10 minutes against the scheduled start time of 1600 hours.
• There were seven Senators present at the start of the proceedings, 15 at the end and a maximum 36 Members at a point during the sitting.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Both the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the proceedings.
• Parliamentary leaders of JUIF, PPPP and MQM attended the sitting while those of PML, BNPA, PMLN and ANP were not present.
• One Member applied for leave.
• One minority Member was present.

Output

• Six bills were laid before the house: the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013 (Amendment of Article 140A); the Un-attended Orphans (Rehabilitation and Welfare) Bill 2013; the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2013; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013 (Amendment of Articles 51 and 106); the Pakistan Pharmacy Council Bill 2013; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013 (Amendment of Article 1).
• The House also adopted two resolutions calling upon the government “to eradicate the manufacturing and sale of spurious and substandard drugs”, and to implement international obligations on global warming and environmental pollution in the country. The resolutions were moved by JUIF and PPPP Senators respectively.
• A resolution, moved by a PPPP Senator, regarding the titles of the Federal Ministries was deferred as the concerned minister was not present whereas four resolutions were dropped as either their movers were absent or were given assurance from the government.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Four motions under rule 218 on the government’s Afghan policy and opening of Taliban office in Qatar, payment of compensation to decree holders of land acquired for AFV Ranges in Nowshera for the last several decades, procedure for  appointing judges in the superior courts and alleged irregularities / rigging in Elections 2013 were deferred. The four motions were moved by PPPP Senators. Similarly, a motion, moved by an MQM Senator, on the situation arising out of night phone call packages offered by telecom/mobile phone companies was dropped as it was the matter is before the judiciary.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on seven Points Of Order consuming 10 minutes.
• The ANP lawmakers, supported by the entire opposition, staged a walkout to protest against police delaying registration of FIR on the killing of ANP lawmaker’s cousin in Balochistan. The Chairman adjourned the sitting immediately after the walkout.

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.  

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN