ISLAMABAD, February 3, 2014: The Senate adopted five resolutions and debated a motion during first sitting of its 101^st session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the Senate.

The House unanimously adopted a resolution sponsored by a PPPP legislator, urging the government to publish names of judges of superior judiciary who hold dual citizenship. Another resolution of the same legislator calling upon the government to revisit Official Secrets Act 1923 was also adopted.

Three other resolutions urging the government to take steps on narcotics control, conduct forensic audit of PIA and overcome unemployment were also adopted by the House unanimously.

Two resolutions regarding implementation of Charter of Democracy and water disputes between India and Pakistan were deferred.

The senators concluded the debate on a motion under Rule 218 regarding responsibilities of federation in pursuance of Article 148 of the Constitution of Pakistan. Five members belonging to ANP, PML-N, MQM and PkMAP spoke on the motion for 49 minutes.

The House also admitted for debate a motion under Rule 218 regarding the recent acts of terrorism in the country.

The House took up two-third of its agenda set for the Private Members’ day.

 

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and 39 minutes
• The House took a prayer break for 36 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1635 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 35 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting while Deputy Chairman was also present.
• Twenty one senators were present at the outset, 27 at the adjournment and a maximum 45 at a point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, NP and PkMAP were present.
• Two minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
• Four members applied for leave.

• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition were present during the sitting.
  

Output

• The House adopted five resolutions unanimously. Among them was a resolution sponsored by a PPPP legislator urging the government to publish names of the judges of superior judiciary who hold dual citizenship.
• Another resolution of the same legislator calling upon the government to revisit Official Secrets Act 1923 was also adopted.
• Three other resolutions calling upon the government to take steps on narcotics control, conduct forensic audit of PIA and overcome unemployment were also adopted by the House unanimously.
• Two resolutions regarding implementation of Charter of Democracy and water disputes between India and Pakistan were deferred.
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House concluded the debate on a motion under Rule 218 regarding responsibilities of federation in pursuance of Article 148 of the Constitution of Pakistan. Five members belonging to ANP, PML-N, MQM and PkMAP spoke on the motion for 49 minutes.
• The House also admitted for debate a motion under Rule 218 regarding the recent acts of terrorism in the country.

Order and Institutionalization

• There was no instance of protest, walkout or boycott during the sitting.
  

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