ISLAMABAD, October 22, 2020: The Senate deferred debate regarding hike in prices of medicines, electricity and basic food items and consumed major part of the proceedings in discussion on arrest of a PML-N Leader over sloganeering at Quaid’s Mausoleum, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on Thursday.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during the fourth sitting of 304^th session:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for three hour and seven minutes.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the entire proceedings.
• The Deputy Chairman was not present.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for two hours and 53 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours and 11 minutes.
• As many as 16 lawmakers (15%) were present at the outset and 23 (22%) at the adjournment of sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PTI, BAP, JUI-F, PML-F and PML-N attended the sitting.
• One minority lawmaker was present.

Output

• The House passed two motions under Rule 194 (1) granting 30-day extension to Standing Committee on Federal Education, Professional Training, National History and Literary Heritage for presentation of its reports on the Protection against Harassment of Students in Educational Institutions Bill, 2020 and a point of public importance related to Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
• Another motion under Rule 194 (1) was also passed which granted 30-day extension to Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony for presentation of report on the Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Bill, 2020.
• On behalf of Chairman Parliamentary Committee, a member of the committee presented preliminary report to Protect Minorities from forced conversions.
• On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, a member of the Committee presented report on a resolution regarding recommendation to the Government to introduce uniform pay scales for all the Government employees.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Chair deferred debate on an adjournment motion till next Wednesday after consent of the House. The motion was regarding recent hike in prices of medicines, electricity and basic food items.
• Ten out of 35 starred questions were taken up in the House while lawmakers asked 19 supplementary questions as well.
• The Leader of the Opposition sought permission of the Chair to move a resolution condemning arrest of PML-N leader Captain (Retd) Safdar from Karachi. However, the Chair referred the matter to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice for further consideration. Earlier, twelve lawmakers spoke on the same and other political issues for an hour and 36 minutes.
• A PTI lawmaker spoke on a point of public importance for five minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• A PTI lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 1904 hours that led to the ringing of bells for two minutes. The quorum did not complete after the bells and the House was adjourned to meet again on October 23, 2020 (Friday) at 1030 hours.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

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