ISLAMABAD, February 24, 2014: Senate took up only one fourth of its agenda on Monday during first sitting of its 102^nd session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) based on direct observation of the House.

The House passed a condolence resolution for a former senator who passed away recently. Eleven senators spoke for 27 minutes on this resolution. The House also prayed for the deceased former senator, mother of a female senator, owner of a private television channel and victims of bomb blast in Kohat.

A female lawmaker of PPPP introduced The Anti-Honour Killings Laws (Criminal Law Amendments) Bill, 2014.

Senators also debated two previously commenced motions under rule 218. Six lawmakers spoke on a motion regarding increasing incidents of cyber crimes for 33 minutes. The Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control winded up the debate. The House also concluded its debate on power shortage in the country after a member spoke on it.

The House left unaddressed seven other motions under rule 218 and as many resolutions.

Moreover, 17 lawmakers spoke on 19 points of order consuming 57 minutes of the proceedings. The Chair appointed three members each belonging to PPPP, MQM and PML-F as Members of Presiding Officers.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for three hours and six minutes while taking a prayer break for 38 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1634 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours with a delay of 34 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman was not present.
• Fifteen senators were present at the outset, 26 at the adjournment while a maximum of 38 at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, ANP, PkMAP, NP and BNP-A attended the sitting.
• Three minority members attended the sitting.
• Eight members applied for leave.

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

Output

• A female lawmaker of PPPP introduced The Anti-Honour Killings Laws (Criminal Law Amendments) Bill, 2014.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• Six lawmakers spoke on a motion regarding increasing incidents of cyber crimes for 33 minutes. The Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control winded up the debate.
• The House also concluded its debate on power shortage in the country after a member spoke on it.

Order and Institutionalization

• Seventeen lawmakers spoke on 19 points of order consuming 57 minutes of the proceedings.
• The Chair appointed three members each belonging to PPPP, MQM and PML-F as Members of Presiding Officers.
• There was no instance of protest, walkout or boycott during the sitting.

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.