ISLAMABAD, October 21, 2014: The third sitting of the ongoing 108^th session of Senate was marked by low attendance as 23 senators were present at the outset while 30 were there at the adjournment of the sitting, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Moreover, the parliamentary leaders of BNP-A, JUI-F, MQM, NP and PML did not attend the sitting. The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was there for 16 minutes.

Nine out of 44 starred questions (requiring oral replies) appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. The questions related to Housing and Works were deferred on request of the minister.

The ANP lawmakers staged a walkout over the terrorist attacks on ANP workers in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and 25 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1135 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours witnessing a delay of 65 minutes.
• The Senate Chairman presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was there for 16 minutes.
• Twenty-three senators were present at the outset, 30 at the adjournment while a maximum of 41 were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, PML-F and ANP attended the sitting.
• One minority members attended the sitting.
• Six members applied for leave

Output

• The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures presented a report on failure of the Establishment Division in providing a complete reply to a starred question No.34, asked by a PPPP senator.
• The Chairman of a Special Committee presented a report on the issue of compensation to the affectees of the land acquired from owners in different villages of Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Housing and Works presented two reports on the subject matter of starred questions No. 115, asked by an MQM Senator; and starred question No. 119, asked by an ex-Senator of PPPP.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• Nine out of 44 starred questions (requiring oral replies) appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. The questions related to Housing and Works were deferred on request of the minister.
• The Minister of State and Parliamentary Affairs presented an authenticated copy of the Address of the President of Pakistan made under Article 56(3) of the Constitution before both Houses assembled together on 2nd June, 2014, as required by sub-rule (2) of rule 32 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012.
• A motion of thanks was moved by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs for the House to expresses its gratitude to the President of Pakistan for his address to both the Houses assembled together on 2nd June, 2014. The Chair set the debate on the Motion on Friday after consulting the Leader of the Opposition.

 Order and Institutionalization

• The ANP lawmakers staged a walkout over the terrorist attacks on ANP workers in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi.

 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.