Senate Discusses Quetta, Mardan Terror Incidents

ISLAMABAD, September 7, 2016: The Senate on Wednesday discussed incidents of terrorism at Civil Hospital Quetta and District Courts Mardan during third sitting of the 252nd session, reports 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 five hours and 33 minutes.
  • The sitting started two minutes behind the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
  • The House had a prayer break for 19 minutes.
  • A member of Panel of Presiding Officers chaired the entire sitting.
  • The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 43 minutes.
  • Parliamentary leaders of PML-F, PPPP, MQM, BNP-M, PML-N, PkMAP, NP and PML attended the sitting.
  • Twenty-two Senators (21% of the total membership of 104) were present at the outset and 20 (19%) at the end of the sitting.
  • Two minority members attended the sitting.

Output

  • The House did not consider the periodical reports on the recommendations of Standing Committee on the Textile Industry and four resolutions adopted by the House.

 Representation and Responsiveness

  • The House discussed incidents of terrorism at Civil Hospital Quetta and District Courts Mardan. Eighteen lawmakers participated in the debate for two hours and 17 minutes while the Minister for Interior spoke on the issue for 58 minutes.
  • The House did not take up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) regarding the decline of sports in Pakistan and two percent increase in 80,000 registered drugs/medicines by the Drug Registration Board.
  • Three reports of the Functional Committee on Government Assurances and one report of Standing Committee on Finance were presented before the House.
  • Following motions under Rule 196 (1), the House adopted two reports of Senate Standing Committee on Finance and one each of Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Law and Justice.
  • The House passed 10 motions under Rule 194 (1) to extend presentation period of 10 reports of various Standing Committees.
  • The House took 34 out of 40 Starred Questions appearing on the agenda. In addition, the lawmakers also asked 30 Supplementary Questions.
  • A Motion of Thanks was not discussed by the House.

Transparency

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

This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceeding conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions