ISLAMABAD, November 6, 2018: The requisitioned session of the Senate on Tuesday discussed the recent violent protests held across the country in the wake of Supreme Court’s verdict in favour of a Christian lady who was serving the death sentence in a blasphemy case, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings of first sitting of 283^rd session:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for two hours and 40 minutes.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1430 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Chairman was not present.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for an hour and 33 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the proceedings for two hours and 31 minutes.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, BNP-M, PTI and MQM were present.
• Eighteen Senators (17% of the total membership) were present at the outset and 26 (25%) at the end of the sitting.
• One out of four minority Senators attended the proceedings.

Output

• A government bill – the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2018 – was withdrawn by the Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up a Motion under Rule 218 to discuss the foreign and economic issues, however, it was agreed to discuss the law and order and the recent protests instead. Nine lawmakers discussed the unwarranted situation for 115 minutes while the Minister of State for Communications gave a policy statement on the issue during his 19-minute speech.

Order and Institutionalization 

        The House was adjourned to meet again on November 7, 2018 at 1430 hours.

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