ISLAMABAD, January 21, 2022: The Senate transacted almost half of its agenda on Friday and deferred four government bills, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during the eighth sitting of 317th session:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for an hour and 58 minutes.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 10:30 am.
• The chairman presided over the entire proceedings.
• The deputy chairman was also present.
• The leader of the house attended the entire sitting.
• The leader of the opposition was present for an hour and 41 minutes.
• The Prime Minister was not present.
• As many as 19 lawmakers (19%) were present at the outset and 38 (38%) at the adjournment of sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PTI, PPPP, JI, PkMAP, BAP, NP and JUI-F attended the sitting.
• All four minority lawmakers were present.

 Output

• Three ordinances were laid in the House which were the National Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Authority Ordinance, 2021; the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Ordinance 2021 and the Pakistan Nursing Council (Emergency Management) Ordinance, 2021.
• Chairman Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture presented special report of the Committee regarding implementation status of the findings of the inquiry committee constituted by the International Islamic University regarding the murder incident of a student of the University.
• Minister for science and technology moved a motion for immediate consideration of the four government bills but it was not put for voting after being opposed by the opposition. Subsequently, the House deferred consideration of these bills which were the Allied Health Professionals Council Bill, 2022; the National Metrology Institute of Pakistan Bill, 2022; the Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the Islamabad Healthcare Facilities Management Authority Bill, 2022.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up eight out of 13 starred questions while five questions were not considered due to absence of relevant lawmakers. In addition, lawmakers asked 19 supplementary questions as well.
• The House passed five motions under rule 194 (1) and granted extension to various standing committees for presentation of reports on matters referred to them.
• Thirteen lawmakers spoke on points of public importance for 21 minutes which were mostly related to bomb blast in Lahore.
• Three lawmakers debated a motion of thanks to the President for his address to Parliament. They spoke on it for 22 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• The House was adjourned to meet again on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 02:30 pm.

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