ISLAMABAD, June 3, 2014: The Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization laid the Finance Bill, 2014, containing the Annual Budget Statement during the first sitting of the 105^th session on Tuesday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

After the 18^th Constitutional Amendment, the Senate provides recommendations on the budget to the National Assembly in 14 days.

Starting an hour and 49 minutes late, the sitting witnessed relatively better attendance of members. The Prime Minister attended the sitting for 22 minutes.

Chairman, Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control presented two reports of the Committee on the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bills, 2014.

Chairman, Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented report of the Committee on the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2014, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Service Tribunals (Amendment) Bill, 2014.

A newly elected PPPP Senator took the oath.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for 41 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1949 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1800 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 49 minutes.
• The Chairman chaired the entire sitting.
• Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 31 minutes.
• Parliamentary leader of MQM, BNP-A and PML did not attend the sitting.
• Thirty eight members (37% of the total membership – 104) were present at the outset while a maximum 57 lawmakers (55%) were there at the adjournment.
• A Panel of Chairpersons was announced.
• Three minority senators attended the sitting.
• Four senators applied for leave.

Output

• The Annual Budget Statement was presented to the House.
• Chairman, Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control presented two reports of the Committee on the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bills, 2014.
• Chairman, Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented report of the Committee on the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2014, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Service Tribunals (Amendment) Bill, 2014.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization laid the budget in the House and the Senate, after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, has 14 days to give recommendations on the budget and send them to the National Assembly.

Order and Institutionalization

• Nine points of order were raised which consumed 16 minutes of the sitting time.

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.