ISLAMABAD, May 3, 2012: The third sitting of Senate’s 81st session witnessed a walkout by PMLN legislators demanding resignation of the Prime Minister after his conviction in the contempt case. The PMLN Senators did not return to the House.

The House witnessed low attendance as only eight Senators were present at the start and 16 were there when the sitting was adjourned.

The Drug Regulatory Agency of Pakistan Ordinance 2012 was presented in the House, as the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2010 was withdrawn by the mover.

Out of the 11 questions to be taken up during the Question Hour, only eight were put up and responded by the relevant ministries. Additionally 12 Supplementary questions were raised during the sitting.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business::

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• Senate met for two hours and 38 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1732 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1700 hours. The House proceedings started late by 32 minutes.
• The Chairman chaired the sitting for an hour and 30 minutes while the remaining time was presided over by the Deputy Chairman.
• The Leader of the House was present while the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• The Parliamentary Leaders of the PMLF, MQM and ANP attended the sitting.
• Eight Senators (8% of total Membership) were present at the start, while 16 (15%) were present when the sitting was adjourned.
• The House took a 24-minute prayer break.

 Representation and Responsiveness

•  Out of the 11 questions to be taken up during the Question Hour, only eight were put up and responded by   the relevant ministries.

• Additionally 12 Supplementary questions were raised during the sitting.

• Two-Senators spoke on Motion on the President’s address to the joint session of the Parliament on March 17.

 Output

• The Drug Regulatory Agency of Pakistan Ordinance, 2012 was presented in the House.
• The Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was withdrawn by the Mover.

 Order and Institutionalization

• No Points of Order was raised during the sitting time.
• The sitting witnessed a walkout by PMLN legislators demanding resignation of Prime Minister after his conviction by the apex court in the contempt case.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to Legislators, observers and others.
• Information on Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.

 

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), a member organization of FAFEN