Senate Expresses Solidarity with Palestinians 

ISLAMABAD, December 11, 2017: The Senate, on Monday, adjourned its sitting to express solidarity with the Palestinians after adopting a resolution condemning the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during the first sitting of the 271st session.

 Members’ Participation

  • The Senate met for four hours and 53 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 20 minutes due to a prayer break.
  • The sitting started at 1506 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
  • The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
  • The Deputy Chairman was not present.
  • The Leader of the House attended the sitting for four hour and 13 minutes.
  • The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for four hours and 48 minutes.
  • The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, MQM, PML, PML-N, BNP-M, PPPP, NP and ANP attended the sitting.
  • As many as 11 lawmakers (10% of the total membership- 104) were present at the outset and 22 (21%) at the end of sitting.
  • All four minority Senators attended the sitting.

Output

  • The House unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel and shifting its embassy there from Tel Aviv. Earlier, 33 lawmakers spoke on the issue for four hours and 14 minutes while the House also demanded to summon joint sitting of the Parliament on this matter.
  • The House did not take up legislative business on the Private Members day. Eight resolutions, and the same number of motions under Rule 218 and the ministerial response on two Points of Public Importance remained unaddressed.

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 are excepted