ISLAMABAD, January 5, 2021: The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution demanding immediate and unconditional release of Kashmiri political leader and activist, Asiya Andrabi, and expressed solidarity with the Kashmiris on the occasion of Right to Self-Determination Day, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during fourth sitting of 305^th session requisitioned by the opposition lawmakers:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for two hours and 49 minutes.
• The sitting started 1503 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the proceedings for 44 minutes while the remaining sitting was chaired by a member of panel of Presiding Officers.
• The Deputy Chairman was not present.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for an hour and 54 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for two hours and 29 minutes.
• Parliamentary leaders of JUI-F, NP, PPPP, BNP-M and JI attended the sitting.
• Sixteen members (17% of the total membership – 104) were present at the outset and 24(23%) at the end of sitting.
• Two minority lawmakers attended the sitting.

 Output

• Tabled by the Leader of the Opposition, the Senate unanimously adopted a resolution demanding immediate and unconditional release of Kashmiri activist and political leader, Asiya Andrabi, detained by Indian government. It also urged the United Nations to take notice of human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• Eight lawmakers, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs discussed the Kashmiris’ just struggle for right to self-determination. The debate consumed two hours and 24 minutes (85 percent) of the proceedings.
• A PPPP lawmaker spoke on a Motion under Rule 218 for 14 minutes which was regarding alleged victimization by NAB against targeted opposition workers.

Order and Institutionalization

• A PPPP lawmaker staged token walkout from the House against the remarks of Minister for Foreign Affairs about the previous governments.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on January 8, 2021 (Friday) at 1030 hours.

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