ISLAMABAD, November 2, 2015: The Chairman Senate, with the purpose to improve the performance of Senate Standing Committees, did not allow to move a motion seeking extension in time for presentation of two reports, says Free and Fair Election Network in its daily factsheet on Monday.

On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, PTI male lawmaker wanted to move a motion seeking extension of 30 working days for presenting two reports on the issue of import of LNG in the country and four demands of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government but the Chair disallowed him to move it. During the last session, he spoke on the same issue and asked to avoid the misuse of sub-rule (1) of rule 194 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Senate 2012 which allows extension in time period for presentation of reports.

The House witnessed low attendance with only 16 (15%) legislators present at the start and 29 (28%) at the time of adjournment during first private members’ day of 121^st session. The Chair gave a ruling regarding the resignations of MQM lawmakers and asked to submit 30-day leave as well as resubmit their lapsed agenda for consideration in the House.

The House adopted four resolutions and also witnessed introduction of the National Accountability (Amendment) Bill, 2015. Two motions under Rule 218 were discussed while tree were dropped due to absence of movers.

Some key observations are as follows:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for four hours and three minutes
• The sitting started one minute late against the scheduled time of 1500 hours
• Chairman presided over the entire sitting
• The Deputy Chairman was not present
• The House had a prayer break for 17 minutes
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting
• The Opposition Leader was present for three hours and 48 minutes.
• Prime Minister did not attend the sitting
• Sixteen (15%) senators were present at the start and 29 (28%) at the time of adjournment
• Parliamentary leaders of JUI-F, PkMAP, PPPP, BNP-M, PML-N, MQM, ANP and JI were present
• Two minority members were present
• Nine members applied for leave

Output

• Tabled by PML-N female lawmaker from Balochistan, the House adopted a resolution during six minutes for concession in Customs duties and taxes for the importers of the province of Balochistan.
• Tabled by PPPP female Senator from Sindh, the House adopted a resolution to include the Keti Bunder Port Sindh in the CPEC. The House consumed two minutes to adopt it.
• The House adopted another resolution in one minute which was about filling all vacant posts in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital Islamabad. The resolution was tabled by PkMAP male legislator from Balcohistan.
• The House consumed six minutes in adopting another resolution tabled by PML-N lawmaker from Balochistan regarding steps to ensure the completion of all remaining projects envisaged under the Aaghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan Package.
• Another resolution tabled by MQM lawmaker from Sindh was rejected with majority vote which was about granting 50 salaries instead of 36 basic salaries under the head of House Building Advance to the Federal Government employees. Four lawmaker –PML-N (2) , MQM and PTI (one each) – spoke in for 12 minutes.
• One of the resolutions on the agenda about establishing Natural Science Museums in the country was deferred due to absence of PPPP lawmaker from Sindh who sponsored it.
• PPPP male legislator from Sindh introduced the National Accountability (Amendment) Bill, 2015 which was referred to the committee for further deliberations.
• State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs presented report regarding the relief work and other subsequent steps taken by the Government in the wake of earthquake on October 26, 2015.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House discussed a motion under Rule 218 about increase in population. Eight lawmakers – PML-N (4), PTI (2) and one each of JUI-F,& ANP – participated in debate for 46 minutes.
• Another motion under Rule 218 was also discussed for 73 minutes which was about fixation of high electricity tariffs. Eleven lawmakers – (PTI (3), PPPP & PML-N, ANP (2 each) and one each of MQM and PkMAP – spoke in it.
• Three motions were not taken up due to absence of movers while one of the motion regarding preventive measures to control poverty was moved for debate in any of the next sitting.
  

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers raised four matters of public importance which consumed 20 minutes of the proceedings.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, 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 Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted