ISLAMABAD, January 6, 2014: The Upper House witnessed an introduction of the Constitutional (Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2013, while low attendance was observed during the second sitting of Senate’s 100^th session, on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the House.

The private member bill, introduced by a PPPP lawmaker and sent to the relevant committee, seeks to amend the Articles 177, 193 and 240 of the Constitution.

The Chairman presided over the sitting with only 10 senators present at the outset, 15 at the adjournment and a maximum 27 at a point during the proceedings. The Leader of the House attended the entire proceedings while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 102 minutes.

The House held a 25-minute debate on a Motion under Rule 218 regarding the situation arising out of non-shifting of headquarters of the State Bank of Pakistan from Karachi to Islamabad. On another motion, nine senators spoke for 122 minutes on the current political and security situation in the country with particular reference to Balochistan, FATA and Rawalpindi incident.

An MQM member staged a two-minute token walkout when he was not allowed to speak on the remarks of PPPP lawmakers, who, on points of order spoke about a recent statement issued by the MQM leader.

Minister for Finance spoke about tax returns of Parliamentarians for 10 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• Senate met for three hours and 28 minutes. The House observed a 26-minute prayer break.
• The sitting started at 1544 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of 44 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for an hour and 42 minutes while the remaining proceedings of 80 minutes were chaired by the Deputy Chairman.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire proceedings while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 102 minutes.
• Ten senators were present at the outset, 15 at the adjournment and a maximum 27 at a point during the proceedings.
• Only the Parliamentary leaders of JUI-F, PkMAP, PML and ANP attended the sitting.
• Three minority senators attended the sitting.
• Six members applied for leave.

Output

• Introduced by a female PPPP lawmaker, the Constitutional (Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2013 was sent to the relevant standing committee.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House held a 25 minute debate on a Motion under Rule 218 regarding the situation arising out of non-shifting of headquarters of the State Bank of Pakistan from Karachi to Islamabad. The motion moved by an ANP lawmaker was debated by four lawmakers.
• Continuing the debate on the motion, moved by a PPPP lawmaker, nine senators spoke for 122 minutes on the current political and security situation in the country with particular reference to Balochistan, FATA and Rawalpindi incident.

Order and Institutionalization

• Five points of order were raised, consuming 15 minutes of the sitting time.
• An MQM member staged a two-minute token walkout when he was not allowed to speak on the remarks of PPPP lawmakers who spoke on points of order about a recent statement issued by the MQM leader.

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.

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.