ISLAMABAD, October 22, 2014: Low attendance and two walkouts marked the fourth sitting of 108^thsession of the Senate as 8 senators (8%) were present at the outset and 26 (25%) at its adjournment, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Tabled by an ANP Senator, the House approved a joint motion under Rule 218 to discuss the security apprehensions of the Sikh community and decided to discuss it next week.

Sponsored by an ANP Senator, the House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding non-transfer of benefits of decrease in international prices of petroleum products to consumers in the country. It was responded to by the State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources.

The PPPP Senators staged a 2-minute token walkout over the absence of the Minister for Interior to respond a question that is unanswered since last ten months.

The female Senators from the Treasury and Opposition benches walked out of the House for six minutes over the remarks of a JUI-F Senator who demanded a new law for compulsory marriage of women aged 40 or above. All male members of the Opposition Benches joined their female counterparts in the walkout.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and 27 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1108 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours witnessing a delay of 38 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
• Eight senators (8%) were present at the outset, 26 (25%) at the adjournment while a maximum of 38 (37%) at one point during the siting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PkMAP, PML-F and PML attended the sitting.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.
• Six members applied for leave.

 Output

• The Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources Chairman presented a report on the Gas (Theft Control and Recovery) Bill 2014 which provides for prosecution of cases of gas theft and other offences relating to gas and to devise a procedure for recovery of arrears.

• The Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges Chairman presented a report on incorrect reply to a starred question No 91 asked by ANP Senator Zahid Khan on April 22, 2014.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Tabled by an ANP Senator, the House approved a joint motion under Rule 218 to discuss the security apprehensions of the Sikh community and decided to discuss it next week.
• The House took up 14 of 49 questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) while 28 supplementary questions were also asked.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Seventeen points of order consumed 55 minutes of the proceedings’ time.
• The PPPP Senators staged a 2-minute token walkout over the absence of the Minister for Interior to respond a question that is unanswered since last ten months.
• The female Senators from the Treasury and Opposition benches walked out of the House for six minutes over the remarks of a JUI-F Senator who demanded a new law for compulsory marriage of women aged 40 or above. All male members of the Opposition Benches joined their female counterparts in 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.

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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.