ISLAMABAD, May 12, 2014: The Senate passed one bill and witnessed the introduction of four bills during the first sitting of its 104^th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Introduced by a MQM lawmaker, the House passed a private member bill – the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2014 – to amend the Pakistan Penal Code 1860.

A PPPP lawmaker introduced the Protection of Cyber Crimes Bill 2014 to make provision for the protection of cybercrimes. The bill was referred to the relevant committee after the opposition of State Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication.

Another PPPP legislator introduced the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Bill 2014 which was also referred to the relevant committee.

The House gave approval to refer two bills – the Supreme Court of Pakistan (Curative Jurisdiction) Bill 2012 and the Review of Innocence Claims Bill 2012 – to a select committee. The Chair remarked that the select committee should be constituted at the earliest after consultation between the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition

Tabled by a MQM lawmaker, the House rejected a resolution recommending an increase in the basic salaries of the federal government employees in proportion to price hike in the country.

Two resolutions were withdrawn by the movers after the assurance of the Leader of the House. The first resolution was tabled by a PML-N lawmaker seeking steps to improve the overall working of Levies deployed in Malakand while the second was tabled by a PPPP lawmaker urging the government to set up the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR).

A newly elected PPPP Senator took oath and made an 11-minute speech.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

 

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for three hours and fourteen minutes.  
• The sitting started at 1712 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours witnessing a delay of an hour and 12 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Twenty-six senators (25%) were present at the outset and 16 (15%) at the adjournment while a maximum of 46 (44%) at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PkMAP, JUI-F, PML-N and NP attended the sitting.
• One minority member attended the sitting.
• Four members applied for leave.
• The House took 33-minute prayer break.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours and 25 minutes.

Output

• Introduced by a MQM lawmaker, the House passed the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2014 to amend the Pakistan Penal Code 1860.
• A PPPP lawmaker introduced the Protection of Cyber Crimes Bill 2014 to make provision for the protection of cybercrimes. The bill was referred to the relevant committee after the State Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication’s opposition.
• Another PPPP legislator introduced the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Bill 2014 which was also referred to the relevant committee.
• The House gave approval to refer two bills – the Supreme Court of Pakistan (Curative Jurisdiction) Bill 2012 and the Review of Innocence Claims Bill 2012 – to a select committee. The Chair remarked that the select committee should be constituted at the earliest after consultation between the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition.
• Tabled by a MQM lawmaker, the House rejected a resolution recommending an increase in the basic salaries of the federal government employees in proportion to price hike in the country.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Moved by a PPPP lawmaker, a motion under Rule 218 regarding the national sports policy with particular reference to the Pakistan Sports Board and the matters connected thereto was admitted for a discussion.

Order and Institutionalization

• Twelve lawmakers spoke on as many points of order consuming an hour and 17 minutes of the proceedings.
• The members from the government and the opposition benches walked out of the House over May 12, 2007 incidents. No member was present in the House after the walkout for two minutes.
• The MQM lawmakers staged a 9-minute walkout over non-issuance of passport to their party chief.

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.