ISLAMABAD, April 16, 2014: The Senate witnessed introduction of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2014 during the third sitting of 103rd session on Wednesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Introduced by the Minister for Science and Technology, the bill was referred to the relevant standing committee after getting resistance from the opposition benches.

Sponsored by MQM lawmaker, the House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding posting of a junior and unsuitable officer of Grade-20 as Secretary, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

The entire opposition walked out from the House for not getting the complete list of government departments being privatized. The opposition members returned to the House after eight minutes, however, MQM lawmakers walked out again for three minutes over alleged targeted operation against its workers in Karachi.

PkMAP legislator submitted a privilege motion against the attitude of DCO Karachi while MQM female lawmaker submitted another privilege motion against PIA authorities for cancelling her ticket, resulting in her absence from an important meeting. Both motions were referred to the relevant committees.

PPPP senator submitted a privilege motion against the officials of Finance Division for submitting wrong reply during Question Hour of August 29, 2013, however, the Chair reserved his ruling.

Ten lawmakers spoke on as many points of order consuming 18 minutes of the proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and 45 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1658 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours witnessing a delay of 58 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Twenty senators were present at the outset while 39 at adjournment while a maximum of 51 at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PkMAP and ANP attended the sitting.
• Four minority members attended the sitting.
• Five members applied for leave.

• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
  

Output

• Minister for Science and Technology introduced the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2014 which was referred to the relevant committee despite resistance from the opposition benches.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sponsored by MQM lawmaker, the House took up a calling attention notice regarding posting of a junior and unsuitable officer of Grade-20 as Secretary, Benazir Income Support Programme.
• Nine out of 37 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well written answers) on the Orders of the Day were taken up. Additionally, members asked 32 supplementary questions.
• PkMAP legislator submitted a privilege motion against the attitude of DCO Karachi while a MQM female lawmaker submitted another privilege motion against PIA authorities for cancelling her ticket, resulting in her absence from an important meeting. Both motions were referred to relevant committees.

Order and Institutionalization

• The entire opposition walked out from the House at 1721 hours for not getting the complete list of government departments being privatized. The opposition members, however, returned to the House after eight minutes.
• MQM lawmakers walked out again for three minutes over alleged targeted operation against its workers in Karachi.
• Ten lawmakers spoke on as many points of order consuming 18 minutes of the proceedings.

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.  

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.