ISLAMABAD, February 11, 2014: Senate concluded its debate on law and order situation in the country during the sixth sitting of 101^st session held on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network.

Ten Senators – four belonging to PPPP, two each from MQM, ANP and PML-N and an independent – debated the Motion under Rule 218 regarding law and order for an hour and 55 minutes while the Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control made a concluding speech.

The House admitted another Motion under Rule 218, sponsored by a PPPP Senator, to debate the privatization policy of the federal government. The House suspended the rules through a motion to proceed without holding question hour as there were no questions on the agenda for the sitting.

The Chairman of Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs presented its reports on seven bills – The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2011; The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013 (Amendment of Article 140A); The Review of Innocence Claims Bill 2012; The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2011 (Amendment of Fourth Schedule); The Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill 2011; The Supreme Court of Pakistan (Curative Jurisdiction) Bill 2012; and The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013 (Amendment of Article 63). The reports were laid after the House approved a motion to condone the delay in presentation of the reports.

The House also took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) sponsored by a PPPP Senator regarding seeking help from the governments of United States and Afghanistan in the peace talks with Taliban. The Leader of the House replied to the notice.

The opposition parties staged a token walkout for four minutes against the privatization of electric supply distribution companies.

Moreover, the Chairman ruled that no member can speak on a point of order for more than two minutes. He also expressed disappointment over attitude of some members who were absent despite their agenda was included in Orders of the Day.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and 48 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1104 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 34 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition were present during the entire sitting.
• Eight senators were present at the outset, 35 at the adjournment and a maximum 46 at a point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, BNPA, JUI-F, ANP, PML-F, NP and PkMAP were present.
• Two minority senators attended the sitting.
• Five members applied for leave.

Output

• The House condoned the delay in laying of reports of Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Chairman of the committee presented reports on seven bills – The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2011; The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013 (Amendment of Article 140A); The Review of Innocence Claims Bill 2012; The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2011 (Amendment of Fourth Schedule); The Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill 2011; The Supreme Court of Pakistan (Curative Jurisdiction) Bill 2012; and The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013 (Amendment of Article 63).

Representation and Responsiveness

• Ten members – four belonging to PPPP, two each from  MQM, ANP and PML-N and an independent senator – debated the motion on law and order for an hour and 55 minutes while the Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control made a 16-minute-long concluding speech.
• The House also admitted a Motion under Rule 218 to debate the privatization policy of the federal government.
• The House also took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) sponsored by a PPPP senator regarding seeking facilitation from the governments of United States and Afghanistan in the peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The Leader of the House replied to the notice.
• The House suspended rules to continue the proceedings without question hour.

Order and Institutionalization

• The opposition parties staged a token walkout against the privatization of electric supply distribution companies.
• The Chair ruled that no member can speak on a point of order for more than two minutes. He also expressed disappointment over attitude of some members who were absent despite their agenda was included in Orders of the Day.
• Twelve members spoke on as many points of order which consumed 21 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.