ISLAMABAD, February 23, 2018: The Senate on Friday passed one government bill and deferred most of the questions due to absence of relevant minister and movers, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during the tenth (last) sitting of 273^rd session:

 Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for two hours and 26 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1035 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for an hour and 31 minutes while rests of the proceedings were chaired by a member of Panel of Presiding Officers.
• Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for two hours and 11 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• As many as 11 (10%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 24 (23%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of MQM, PPPP and PkMAP attended the sitting.
• Two minority lawmakers were present.

Output 

• Tabled by Minister for Power, the House passed the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
• Chairman Standing Committee on Interior presented reports on the Miscarriage of Justice (Compensation) Bill, 2017; the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2017; the Police (Amendment) Bill, 2017; the Federal Investigation Commission Bill, 2017 and about attacks on three media persons.
• On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Industries and Production, a member of the committee presented report regarding details of official vehicles at the disposal of the Ministry and its attached departments.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House deferred a Calling Attention Notice regarding disparity in pay scales of Junior and Senior Clerks working in the Federal and provincial Governments.
• The House took up two out of 23 Starred Questions for answers during the Question Hour. The lawmakers asked six supplementary questions as well.
• As many as six lawmakers spoke on Points of Public Importance consuming 14 minutes of the proceedings.

 Order and Institutionalization 

• The Opposition lawmaker staged a token walk out of the House against absence of Minister for Water Resources who had to respond the questions related to his department.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• The attendance of lawmakers is available on the website.

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This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceeding conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted