ISLAMABAD, March 10, 2014: The Senate adopted two resolutions and passed a bill during ninth sitting of its 102nd session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

The House debated a commenced resolution, tabled by female lawmaker of PPPP, urging the government to include all water disputes of Pakistan with India in the Composite Dialogue or in any other talks or dialogue process that is revived or initiated with India. The House passed this resolution unanimously.

Tabled by another female PPPP legislator, the House also adopted a resolution demanding the provincial governments to make necessary arrangements for vocational training of the prisoners in Pakistani jails and educational facilities for children in those jails.

Jointly sponsored by ANP and PPPP senators, the House deferred a resolution urging government to cleanse FATA of militant networks, provide compensation to the victims of militancy, relief or rehabilitation to IDPs and a massive program for the socio-economic uplift of the people. The Leader of the House assured the presence of minister for interior in next sitting to respond to it.

Introduced by a female lawmaker of PPPP, the House passed the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2014 seeking to amend the Civil Servants Act, 1973.

The House also admitted for discussion a motion under Rule 18 regarding conditions of health sector after devolution of the subject to provinces in pursuance of 18^th Amendment in the Constitution.

The House concluded debate on another motion submitted by PPPP senator under Rule 218 regarding import of LNG to meet power shortage in the country.  One Senator each from PPPP, PML and minister for petroleum and natural resources took part in the debate.

Six legislators – two of PPPP and one each of JUI-F, MQM, PkMAP and PML – spoke on a motion under rule 218 regarding the overall performance of Pakistan International Airlines.

A lawmaker belonging to the ANP pointed out the quorum after which the Chair ordered the bells to be rung for five minutes. However the quorum was found incomplete on the recount and the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday morning (tomorrow).

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for three hours and 59 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1545 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours with a delay of 45 minutes.
• A member of the panel of chairpersons presided over the entire sitting.
• Eight senators were present at the outset while 14 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 32 members were observed to be present at a point during the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of ANP, PML-N and PkMAP attended the proceedings.
• One minority member attended the sitting.
• No member applied for leave.
• The Leader of the House was present for three hours and 39 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.

Output

• The House unanimously passed a resolution urging the government to include all water disputes of Pakistan with India in the Composite Dialogue or in any other talks or dialogue process that is revived or initiated with India.
• Tabled by a female senator of PPPP, the House also adopted a resolution demanding the provincial governments to make necessary arrangements for vocational training of the prisoners in Pakistani jails and educational facilities for children in those jails.
• The House passed the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2014 as well. It was also introduced by a female lawmaker of PPPP. 

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House also admitted for discussion a motion under Rule 218 regarding conditions of health sector after devolution of the subject to provinces in pursuance of 18^th Amendment in the Constitution.
• The House concluded debate on another motion submitted by PPPP senator under Rule 218 regarding import of LNG to meet power shortage in the country.  One Senator each from PPPP, PML and minister for petroleum and natural resources took part in the debate.
• Six legislators – two of PPPP and one each of JUI-F, MQM, PkMAP and PML – spoke on a motion under rule 218 regarding the overall performance of Pakistan International Airlines.

Order and Institutionalization

• No member raised any point of order.
• A lawmaker belonging to the ANP pointed out the quorum after which the Chair ordered the bells to be rung for five minutes. However the quorum was found incomplete on the recount and the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday morning (tomorrow).

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.