ISLAMABAD, June 9, 2014: The Upper House of the Parliament suspended regular agenda and discussed terrorist attacks on Karachi Airport, pilgrims’ bus in Taftan, Balochistan that consumed 81 per cent of the proceedings time during 4^th sitting of the 105^th session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Fourteen lawmakers – three each of PML-N, PPPP, followed by ANP and PML (2), a single member of BNP-A, MQM, PkMAP and an Independent lawmaker- took part in the debate that continued for two hours and 25 minutes.

The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire proceedings while expressing his indignation over the absence of any minister during discussion on such an important matter.

The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat presented report of the Committee on the Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2014.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and 59 minutes.
• The House had a prayer break of 24 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1829 hours against the scheduled time of 1700 hours with a delay of an hour and 29 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Twenty-six senators were present at the outset, 10 at the adjournment while a maximum of 39 at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PkMAP, ANP, PML-N and PML-F attended the sitting.
• One minority member attended the proceedings.
• Three members applied for leave.

• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was not present.

Output

• The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat presented report of the Committee on the Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2014.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Senate deferred the debate on federal budget 2014-15 and discussed prevailing law and order in the country especially in the wake of terrorist attacks in Karachi and Balochistan.
• Fourteen lawmakers – three each of PML-N, PPPP, followed by ANP and PML (2), one each of BNP-A, MQM, PkMAP and an Independent lawmaker- took part in the debate that continued for two hours and 25 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• There were no incidents of protests, walkouts and boycotts.

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.  

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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.