ISLAMABAD, November 9, 2015: The Senate adopted four resolutions amid low attendance of lawmakers here on Monday during the 6^th sitting of its ongoing 121^st session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet.

The resolutions adopted by the House were; to pay tribute to national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, establish Natural Science Museums, control fee as well as other related charges of the private educational institutions in Islamabad and enhance security for Parliament Lodges.

The House witnessed low attendance as only 18 (17%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 30 (29%) at the time of adjournment.

The Chair gave a ruling about apology tendered by a journalist using objectionable language against parliamentarians. He also made announcement to discuss report of Council of Islamic Ideology in the next sitting.

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for four hours and 45 minutes
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1500 hours
• The House had a prayer break for 19 minutes
• Chairman presided over the entire sitting
• The Leader of the House was present for four hours and 25 minutes
• The Opposition Leader did not attend the sitting
• Prime Minister did not attend the sitting
• Eighteen (17%) senators were present at the start and 30 (29%) at the time of adjournment
• Parliamentary leaders of MQM, PTI, BNP-M, PPPP , JUI-F, PML-N and PML were present
• Two minority members were present
  

Output

• Tabled by PPPP male lawmaker from Sindh, the House adopted a resolution, about establishing Natural Science Museums in the country.
• JUI-F male lawmaker hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tabled a resolution to control fee and other related charges of the private educational institutions in Islamabad which was adopted by the House.
• A resolution tabled by MQM male lawmaker from Sindh was also adopted by the House which was about enhancing security of Parliament Lodges.
• Sponsored by JI lawmaker, a resolution regarding implementation on the judgement of apex court in case of PTCL pensioners was not taken up due to his absence.
• A supplementary resolution to pay tribute to National Poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal was adopted by the House. It was tabled by Leader of the House.
• One of the joint resolution on the agenda was not taken up in the House as its three sponsors – one each of PTI, PML-N and PPPP – withdrew their names while seven others were not present in the House. The resolution was about extending usual facilities of VIP’s to all ex-members of Parliament including the Gratis / Blue Passports to their spouses and Children.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House winded up debate on a commenced motion under Rule 218 regarding fixation of high electricity tariffs as the State Minister of Water and Power spoke on it for five minutes.
• The House deferred discussion on another commenced motion regarding preventive measures to control poverty due to absence of mover.
• Five lawmakers including three of PML-N and one each of MQM and NP took part in debate on a motion under Rule 218 regarding construction of a ring road in Islamabad / Rawalpindi.
• Eighteen lawmakers – PML-N (5), PPPP & MQM (3), PTI (2), and one each of PML, PkMAP, ANP, NP and BNP-M – debated a motion about performance of PIA for 81 minutes.
• Moved by PTI female lawmaker, another motion to curb crime in Islamabad was discussed for 25 minutes which was participated by six lawmakers including two each of PML-N & MQM and one each of PTI and PPPP.
• Seventeen lawmakers discussed a motion regarding confession of Indian Prime Minister in Bangladesh about his country role in breaking Pakistan. Seventeen lawmakers – PML-N (8), PPPP, MQM and PML (2 each) and one each of NP, ANP and PTI – spoke on it for 59 minutes.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Fourteen points of public importance consumed 46 minutes of the proceeding’s time.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public

To download factsheet, click here

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