ISLAMABAD, October 17, 2014: The Senate unanimously adopted a resolution to congratulate child education activist Malala Yousafzai on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize during its first sitting of 108^th session on Friday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The ANP Parliamentary Leader sponsored the resolution which appeared as supplementary agenda. The motion praised Malala – the youngest-ever Nobel Laureate – on her sacrifices for the promotion of education in the world.

The Chairman of Standing Committee on Rules and Procedure and Privileges presented two reports before the House while the State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs laid the Annual Report of the Federal Public Service Commission for 2013.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and 37 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1056 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours witnessing a delay of 26 minutes.
• The Senate Chairman presided over the entire sitting while his deputy was also present.
• Eighteen senators (17%) were present at the outset, 35 (34%) at the adjournment while a maximum of 43 (42%) at one point during the proceedings.
• The Parliamentary Leaders of MQM, ANP and NP attended the sitting.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.
• Eight members applied for leave.

• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while his counterpart, the Leader of the Opposition, was absent.

 Output

• The House unanimously adopted a resolution to congratulate Malala Yousafzai on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
• The Chairman Standing Committee on Rules and Procedure and Privileges presented two reports before the House after moving a motion for each seeking the condoning of delay in their presentation. The first report was based on the review of a privilege motion tabled by a PPPP member against the Managing Director of Pakistan Security Printing Corporation and the Finance Division officials, while the second was about a motion against the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources for its failure to respond to starred questions.
• The State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs laid the Federal Public Service Commission’s Annual Report for 2013 as required under Section 9 (1) of the Federal Public Service Commission Ordinance, 1977 (Ordinance No.XLV of 1977).

 Representation and Responsiveness

• The House offered prayers over the demise of a PPPP member’s mother, NP legislator’s brother, those martyred in the operation Zarb-e-Azb and the victims of Indian firing on the Line of Control.
• As many as 53 starred questions addressed to the Cabinet Division and Civil Aviation Ministry were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministers.

 Order and Institutionalization

• One point of order consumed six minutes of the proceedings’ time

 Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on senators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.  

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This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization; a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted.