ISLAMABAD, April 14, 2014: The Senate approved amendments in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business on Monday, requiring the Prime Minister to appear in the Upper House once a week, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The senators also introduced two bills, adopted three resolutions and debated two motions under rule 218 during first sitting of 103^rd session. The Chairman Standing Committee on Defence presented the Report No. 8 of the committee to the House. Two lawmakers, each belonging to PPPP and PML, introduced The Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the National Cyber Security Council Bill, 2014.

A resolution, sponsored jointly by two lawmakers belonging to PPPP and ANP, called upon the government to prepare and make public a workable plan for FATA to cleanse it of militant networks, provide compensation to the victims of militancy, relief and rehabilitation of IDPs and a massive programme for the socio-economic uplift of the people. Two other resolutions called upon the government to take steps for transparent award of Reko Diq mines contract and provide clean water in Islamabad.

Three lawmakers spoke for 16 minutes on a motion under rule 218 regarding conditions of health sector in post-devolution backdrop. The minister of state for parliamentary affairs wrapped up the debate on a motion regarding performance of PIA. Four other motions under rule 218 were deferred.

Two lawmakers, each belonging to PML and MQM, moved to amend the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012. The senators sought to amend the rule 61, 64, 169 and 174 of the Rules of Procedure. Both the amendments were passed by the House.

Earlier, the lawmakers belonging to MQM walked out of the House when the Deputy Chairman did not allow taking up the amendments in the rules of procedure concerning the attendance of prime minister in the Senate. A few minutes later, the members belonging to other opposition parties also walked out against the comments of a treasury senator on the same subject. All lawmakers returned to the House after 10 minutes.

Four lawmakers spoke on as many points of order consuming seven minutes of the proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for three hours and eight minutes taking a prayer break for 39 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1720 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours with a delay of an hour and 20 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for an hour and 25 minutes while the Deputy Chairman chaired the proceedings for an hour and four minutes.
• Four senators were present at the outset while 48 at adjournment while a maximum of 51 at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, JUI-F, PkMAP and ANP attended the sitting.
• Four minority members attended the sitting.
• Four members applied for leave.

• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.

Output

• Two lawmakers, each belonging to PPPP and PML, introduced The Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the National Cyber Security Council Bill, 2014.
• The Chairman Standing Committee on Defence presented the Report No. 8 of the committee to the House.
• A resolution, sponsored jointly by two lawmakers belonging to PPPP and ANP, called upon the government to prepare and make public a workable plan for FATA to cleanse it of militant networks, provide compensation to the victims of militancy, relief and rehabilitation of IDPs and a massive programme for the socio-economic uplift of the people. Two other resolutions called upon government to take steps for transparent award of Reko Diq mines contract and to provide clean water in Islamabad.
• Two lawmakers, each belonging to PML and MQM, moved to amend the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012. The senators sought to amend the rule 61, 64, 169 and 174 of the Rules of Procedure. Both the amendments were passed by the House.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Three lawmakers spoke for 16 minutes on a motion under rule 218 regarding conditions of health sector in post-devolution backdrop. The minister of state for parliamentary affairs wrapped up the debate on a motion regarding performance of PIA. Four other motions under rule 218 were deferred.

Order and Institutionalization

• Earlier, the lawmakers belonging to MQM walked out of the House when the Deputy Chairman did not allow taking up the amendments in rules of procedure concerning the attendance of prime minister in the Senate. A few minutes later, the members belonging to other opposition parties also walked out against the comments of a treasury senator on the same subject. All lawmakers returned to the House after 10 minutes.
• Four lawmakers spoke on as many points of order consuming seven minutes of the proceedings.

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.