Opposition stages token walkout on absence of Prime Minister

ISLAMABAD, February 6, 2014: Senate continued debate on the political as well as law and order situation, with particular reference to recent terrorist activities in the country, during the third sitting of its 101^st session on Thursday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the Upper House of Parliament.

Twelve lawmakers participated in the debate on the commenced motion under rule 218 for two hours and ten minutes. Two legislators each of PML-N, PPPP, PML, ANP, and one each of MQM, PkMAP, JUI-F and an Independent MNA took part in the debate.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs laid Annual Report of the Central Board of Directors of the State Bank of Pakistan on the state of the economy along with the Statistical Supplement for the year 2012-2013.

Sponsored by PPPP legislator, the House took up calling attention notice (CAN) regarding building of two new nuclear reactors in Karachi with a new and untested design, which can prove a safety threat.

The House also took up 12 of the 22 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). Additionally, members asked 36 supplementary questions.

The opposition staged a token walkout for four minutes over the absence of Prime Minister from the House and unsatisfactory replies to some five questions.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for four hours and 14 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1530 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of 30 minutes.
• The House had a prayer break for 39 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for two hours and five minutes while Deputy Chairman chaired the rest of the proceedings.
• Four senators were present at the outset, 31 at the adjournment and a maximum 49 at a point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PkMAP, PML, PML-F were present.
• Two minority senators attended the sitting.
• The Leader of the House was present during the entire sitting, whereas, the Leader of the Opposition attended the proceedings for three hours and 15 minutes.
• Six members applied for leave.
  

Output

• Minister for Kashmir Affairs laid Annual Report of the Central Board of Directors of the State Bank of Pakistan on the state of the Economy along with the Statistical Supplement for the year 2012-2013.
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House debated a motion under rule 218 regarding political and law and order situation in the country in the wake of recent terrorist activities in the country.
• Two legislators each of PML-N, PPPP, PML, ANP, and one each of MQM, PkMAP, JUI-F and an Independent MNA took part in the debate.
• Sponsored by PPPP legislator, the House took up calling attention notice (CAN) regarding building of two new nuclear reactors in Karachi with a new and untested design, which can prove a safety threat.
• The House also took up 12 of the 22 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). Members asked 36 supplementary questions, as well.

Order and Institutionalization

• The opposition staged a token walkout for four minutes over the absence of Prime Minister from the House and unsatisfactory replies to some five questions.
• The members spoke on six points of order consuming 10 minutes of the proceedings.
• The Chair gave a ruling to submit reply of the questions on next Rota day.
  

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