ISLAMABAD, August 11, 2014: The Upper House of the Parliament deferred most of the agenda on Private Members day and discussed the political situation in the country during 2^nd sitting of its 107^th session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

A PPPP Senator moved the motion under rule 218 to discuss the prevailing situation in the country and implementation of Article 245 in the federal capital territory which was approved for discussion.

Eight Senators- PPPP (4), ANP, MQM, PML-N and PkMAP (one each)- discussed the motion for an hour and 55 minutes.

A PPPP Senator introduced the Torture, Custodial Death and Custodial Rape (Prevention and Punishment) Bill, 2014 aimed at preventing and protecting the citizens of Pakistan and all other persons for the time being in Pakistan from all acts of torture, custodial death and custodial rape. The bill was referred to the relevant committee for further review and recommendations.

The other bill- the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014- introduced by the same PPPP Senator was about amending Article 247 of the Constitution. This bill was also referred to the relevant committee.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and eight minutes.
• The sitting started at 1702 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and two minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Sixteen Senators were present at the outset, 29 at the adjournment while a maximum of 36 at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PkMAP, ANP and PML-N attended the sitting.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.
• Four members applied for leave.

• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.

Output

• A PPPP Senator introduced the Torture, Custodial Death and Custodial Rape (Prevention and Punishment) Bill, 2014 which was aimed to provide for the prevention of and protection of Pakistani citizens and of all other persons for the time being in Pakistan from all acts of torture, custodial death and custodial rape. This bill was referred to the relevant committee for further review and recommendations.
• The other bill- the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014- introduced by the same Senator was regarding amendment of Article 247. It was also referred to the relevant committee.

Representation and Responsiveness

• A PPPP Senator moved a motion under rule 218 to discuss political situation in the country and implementation of Article 245 in Islamabad which was approved for discussion.
• Eight Senators- PPPP (4), ANP, MQM, PML-N and PkMAP (one each)- discussed the motion for an hour and 55 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.