ISLAMABAD, August 13, 2015: The Senate continued to witness thin attendance of lawmakers during its last sitting on Thursday as Points of Order consumed 39% of sitting’s time, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Only 13 lawmakers were present at the start of the sitting and 27 at the time of adjournment. The lawmakers raised 25 POs which took up 39% of the proceedings’ time.

The Senate discussed an Adjournment Motion regarding loss of lives due to heatwave and power cuts by K-Electric in Karachi. Seven lawmakers – four from PPPP and one each from PML-N, BNP-M and PML – participated in the debate for 42 minutes while State Minister for Interior concluded the debate during his eight minutes speech.

The House unanimously adopted a resolution to congratulate the nation on the eve of Independence Day. An AM regarding the alleged baton charge by Sindh Police on a protest by disabled persons, including women, in Karachi was not taken up.

The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs). The first CAN taken up by the  House despite mover’s absence was regarding collection of TV fee through electricity bills even from mosques while the other was related to damages caused by recent rains to the tracks and stations of Metro Bus in Islamabad.

Chairman Standing Committee on Finance presented report on the Money Bill to amend the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2015. He also tabled a motion for adopting recommendation on the Money Bill aimed to amend  the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 [The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2015], which was passed by the House.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

 Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and 15 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1504 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for an hour and 13 minutes while remaining proceedings were chaired by a member of Panel of Chairpersons.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for an hour and 16 minutes.
• The Opposition Leader and the Prime Minister were not present.
• Thirteen senators (12%) were present at the start and 27 (26%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 33 senators (32%) attended the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, BNP-M and PML were present.
• Two minority members were present.
• Five members applied for leave.

Output

•  Tabled by the Leader of the House, the House unanimously adopted a resolution to congratulate the whole nation on the eve of Independence Day.
• Chairman Standing Committee on Finance presented report on the Money Bill to amend the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 [Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2015].

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Senate discussed an Adjournment Motion regarding loss of lives and power cuts by K-Electric in Karachi. Seven lawmakers – four from PPPP and one each from PML-N, BNP-M and PML – participated in the debate for 42 minutes while State Minister for Interior concluded the debate during his eight minutes speech.
• The House took up two CANs regarding collection of TV fee through electricity bills even from mosques and damages caused by recent rains to the tracks and stations of Metro Bus in Islamabad.
• All eight starred questions appearing on the agenda were taken up in the absence of their movers. No supplementary question was raised.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers raised 25 Points of Order that consumed 52 minutes of the sitting time.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and public.

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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 are excepted.