ISLAMABAD, December 12, 2017: The Senate, on Tuesday, transacted most of its agenda and discussed the need of Parliamentary oversight in key international arbitration cases, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during the second sitting of the 271^st session.

 Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for two hours and 11 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1502 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for an hour and 23 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 29 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, MQM, PML, PML-N, BNP-M, PPPP, NP and PML-F attended the sitting.
• As many as 12 lawmakers (11% of the total membership- 104) were present at the outset and 16 (15%) at the end of sitting.
• Three minority Senators attended the sitting.

Output

• The House witnessed the presentation of two bills including the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the National University of Technology Bill, 2017. The Chair referred both bills to the relevant committees for further consideration.
• Chairperson Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs presented report on a Point of Public Importance regarding the display of anti-Pakistan banners and slogans on the Taxis and Buses in London.
• Chairman Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination presented report on the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Ten lawmakers participated in debate on an adjournment motion regarding the interim award issued by London Court of International Arbitration in favor of nine IPPs directing Pakistan to immediately pay 10.977 billion rupees and the need of Parliamentary oversight in key international arbitration cases. They spoke on it for 49 minutes while Minister for Power concluded debate  during his 19 minutes speech.
• The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding the artificial shortage of essential medicines across the country for last six months. It was responded to by State Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination.
• Another CAN regarding the independence of minorities in Pakistan was deferred due to the absence of relevant minister.
• Moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the House passed a motion to defer question hour.
• The Chair admitted an adjournment motion to discuss the recent sit-in at Faizabad.
• Another adjournment motion about mental and physical issues being faced by the children in Pakistan was disposed of after its sponsor agreed to move a motion under Rule 218 on the subject.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Eleven lawmakers spoke on Point of Public Importance consuming 23 minutes of the proceedings.
• A point of order regarding non-payment of salaries to employees of Printing Corporation of Pakistan consumed five minutes of the proceedings.

Transparency

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

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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