ISLAMABAD, July 26, 2016: The Senate discussed laws and policies relating to marginalized segments of society during 7^th sitting of its 250^th session on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are some key observations of the House business:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for four hours and 13 minutes.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The Chairman chaired the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Leader of the House did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 72 minutes.
• Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• Parliamentary leaders of BNP-M, ANP, PkMAP, PML-N, PTI, PPPP, NP, PML and MQM attended the sitting.
• Sixteen members (15% of the total membership -104) were present at the outset and 19 members (18%) at the end of the sitting.
• Two minority Senators attended the sitting.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House discussed laws and policies relating to marginalized segments of society; vulnerable children, women, handicapped, transgender and Minorities. Twenty lawmakers and Chairman Senate participated in debate on it that continued for two hours and 43 minutes.
• A Calling Attention Notice (CAN) about repeated statements of the Chairman WAPDA in the print/electronic media regarding construction of Kala Bagh Dam was deferred due to absence of Federal Minister for Water and Power.
• Another notice about twenty two Pakistani citizens stranded in Yemen was also deferred due to ministerial absence.
• The Chair admitted an adjournment motion for discussion which was regarding salient points of agreement between Pakistan and China.
• The House passed a motion under Rule 194 (1) to extend the presentation period of a report for 30 working days with effect from July 29, 2016. This report was about recalling/withdrawal of Order by the Chairman National Accountability Bureau  (NAB) wherein acting/current charges were given to various officers of NAB, in violation of rules, and reappointment of same officers, on the same day, in their Own Pay Scales.
• The House took 19 out of 32 starred questions appearing on the agenda. In addition, the lawmakers also asked 35 supplementary questions.
• A JUI-F lawmaker’s privilege motion  against misbehaviour of police officials with him at Chashma Barrage Police Check Post was admitted and forwarded to the relevant committee.

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