ISLAMABAD, May 31, 2021: The Senate adopted four resolutions and referred as many private members’ bills to the committees on Monday, observers Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during fifth sitting of 311th session:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for three hour and six minutes.
• The sitting started at 03:40 pm against the scheduled time of 03:30 am.
• The Chairman presided over the entire proceedings.
• The Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Leaders of the House and opposition attended the entire sitting.
• As many as 48 lawmakers (48 percent) were present at the outset and 26 (26 percent) at the adjournment of sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, PTI, MQMP, PPPP, PML-Q, JI, BAP and ANP attended the sitting.
• Two out of four minority lawmakers were present.

Output

• The House witnessed introduction of four private members’ bills including the Guardians and Wards (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Amendment of Article 59); the Islamabad Rent Restriction (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2021. All these bills were referred to the relevant committees for further consideration.
• Another private member bill on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Amendment of Article 89) was deferred on the request of mover.
• The House adopted four resolutions which demanded the government to take steps for operating PIA flights between Peshawar and Lahore on regular basis, provide internet services across  Balochistan, give meaningful representation to women in federal government entities and ensure equitable lending by the commercial banks in the small provinces of the country.
• Another resolution on the agenda was disposed of after the response by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs on it. The resolution was regarding vaccination of law enforcing personnel against COVID-19.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House debated a motion under Rule 218 regarding problems being faced by the common lot of the country due to recent exorbitant increase in the electricity tariff by the Government. Ten lawmakers spoke it for 56 minutes and the Minister for Communication concluded debate on it.
• Another motion regarding report of Broadsheet Commission was also debated. A total of 11 lawmakers spoke on it for 45 minutes. Advisor to Prime Minister on accountability winded up debate on this motion.

Order and Institutionalization

• The House was adjourned to meet again on Thursday June 3, 2021 at 03:30 pm.

 Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted