ISLAMABAD, November 12, 2019: The Senate condemned Indian atrocities in the Occupied Kashmir and debated over 80-day curfew and lockdown in Srinagar, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Tuesday.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during fifth sitting of 294^th session:

Members’ Participation

• The House met for an hour and 39 minutes.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1530 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for 45 minutes while rest of the sitting was chaired by a member of Panel of Presiding Officers.
• The Deputy Chairman was not present.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for an hour and 26 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 34 minutes.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• As many as 11 lawmakers (10%) were present at the outset and 22 (21%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PTI, BNP-M, MQM, ANP and PML-N attended the sitting.
• As many as two out of four minority lawmakers were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Four lawmakers discussed a motion under Rule 218 regarding curfew as well as lockdown in Srinagar and also future strategy of the Pakistani government in this regard. The debate overall consumed an hour and 14 minutes of the proceedings.
• Earlier, the House clubbed three motions under Rule 218 for debate which were regarding curfew in Srinagar, government’s decision to dissolve PMDC through an Ordinance and curbs on media. However, none of the lawmaker deliberated on two latter motions.
• Another motion on the agenda regarding economic situation of the country was not considered.

Order and Institutionalization 

• Four lawmakers spoke on points of order for 13 minutes.
• The opposition lawmakers expressed resentment over the absence of Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan during debate on Kashmir issue. Prior to their walk out, the Chair adjourned the House to meet again on November 13, 2019 (Wednesday) at 1530 hours.

Transparency

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

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