ISLAMABAD, October 25, 2017: Minister for Foreign Affairs on Wednesday briefed the Senate about Pak-US relations and issues discussed with the US Secretary of State during his recent visit to Pakistan, observes the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during third sitting of the 269^th session:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for four hours and 27 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 33 minutes due to prayer break.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman was not present.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for two hours and 16 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML, PPPP, PML-F, PkMAP, ANP, JUI-F, PTI, JI, MQM, NP and PML-N attended the sitting.
• As many as 13 (12% of the total membership – 104) lawmakers were present at the start and 12 (11%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• Three minority legislators also attended the proceedings.

Output

• Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training introduced the Apprenticeship Bill, 2017 which was referred to the relevant committee for further deliberations.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Minister for Foreign Affairs gave a statement in the House about Pak-US relations and issues discussed with US Secretary of State during his visit to Pakistan. His speech consumed 44 minutes of the proceedings.
• The Chair admitted an adjournment motion for discussion which was regarding impacts of water scarcity and water borne diseases.
• The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding insufficient medical facilities for inhabitants of Islamabad. It was responded to by Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD).
• The Chair deferred another CAN to re-negotiate the contract price of LNG set between Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Qatar Gas on February 10, 2016.
• The House discussed an Adjournment Motion (AM) regarding the lack of beds for patients and other medical equipment in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSH), Islamabad. Six lawmakers spoke on it for 29 minutes while Minister for CADD concluded debate on it during his 12 minutes speech.
• Chairman Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research informed the House about the successful efforts of the body in cancellation of lease agreement of 1400 acres land between Capital Development Authority and National Agriculture Research Council. Four lawmakers spoke on it for 15 minutes.
• Six  lawmakers raised as many Points of Public Importance consuming 13 minutes of the proceedings.
• As many as 10 out of 20 Starred Questions were taken up for answers during the proceedings. In addition, lawmakers asked 25 supplementary questions.
• The Chair referred two Privilege Motions of PML-F lawmaker to the relevant Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges. These motions were against management of national airline.

Order and Institutionalization

• A PPPP lawmaker walked out of the House for one minute against the NAB’s actions in Sindh.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• The attendance of lawmakers is available on the Senate website.

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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