ISLAMABAD, December 22, 2016: The Senate discussed report of the Commission on the incident of terrorism at Civil Hospital Quetta on August 8, 2016 during the fourth sitting of its ongoing 257^th session on Thursday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet.

The House debated the report following an adjournment motion admitted by the Chair for discussion in second sitting on Tuesday.

Following are some key observations of the House business:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for five hours and 37 minutes.
• The sitting started one minute behind the scheduled time of 1430 hours.
• The House had a prayer break for 17 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for three hours and 55 minutes while rest of the proceedings was chaired by a member of Panel Presiding Officer.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for two hours and 46 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 55 minutes.
• Prime Minister and Deputy Chairman did not attend the sitting.
• Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PkMAP, PML-N, PML-F, BNP-M and PML attended the sitting.
• Ten members (9% of the total membership -104) were present at the outset and 16 (15%) at end of the sitting.
• None among the minority Senators attended the sitting.

Output

• Introduced by State Minister for Interior, the House passed the National Command Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2016 after report of the Standing Committee.
• Chairman Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research presented 11th follow up report of the Committee regarding proposed conversion of 1400 acres land of National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) / Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) into residential/commercial plots.
• Chairman Committee on Delegated Legislation presented third quarterly report for the period from October to December, 2016.
• State Minister for Interior laid 2^nd Interim report of the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• The House discussed an adjournment motion regarding the Commission’s report on terror attack at Civil Hospital Quetta on August 8, 2016. Twenty-two lawmakers spoke on it for two hours and 50 minutes while State Minister for Interior concluded debate in his 31 minutes speech.
• The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs). The first notice was regarding non-availability of burial and funeral place for the Hindu Community residing in Islamabad while other CAN was about inconvenience caused to the residents of Islamabad due to the blockage of the roads by the Government and Private Offices and Embassies located in the residential areas of Islamabad.
• The House passed a motion under Rule 194 (1) to extend the presentation period of report on the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Bill, 2016.
• Two adjournment motions were not admitted due to absence of movers while another motion was withdrawn by its mover.

Order and Institutionalization 

• Four minutes were consumed on a Point of Public Importance.

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 proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted