ISLAMABAD, April 18, 2014: The Senate witnessed introduction of the Protection of Pakistan Bill, 2014 amid strong protest from the opposition benches during the fifth sitting of its 103^rd session on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid introduced the bill aimed at providing protection against waging of war against Pakistan and prevention of acts threatening the security of the country. This bill has already been passed by the National Assembly.

Six opposition members – ANP (2) and one each of PPPP, MQM, PML, PkMAP – took part in the debate for 19 minutes and the bill was later referred to the relevant standing committee.

The Surveying and Mapping Bill 2014, which was to be moved today, was deferred on the request of Minister for Science and Technology.

Female lawmaker of PML-N moved a motion to defer the Question Hour which was approved. The mover instead wanted to have a debate on the Protection of Pakistan Bill 2014.

Four members participated in the debate on commenced motion moved by PPPP lawmaker for 36 minutes regarding foreign policy of the government with particular reference to the situation likely to emerge after elections in India and Afghanistan.

The entire opposition walked out from the House over the withdrawal of subsidy on flour. The opposition members returned to the House after three minutes as a PML-N lawmaker successfully convinced them on the issue.

Sponsored by PPPP lawmaker, the House did not take up calling attention notice (CAN) due to the shortage of time. The CAN was about the construction of controversial zigzag link road from Benazir Bhutto Airport to the twin cities with estimated cost of Rs 15 billion.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and thirty eight minutes.
• The sitting started at 1109 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours witnessing a delay of 39 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Fourteen senators were present at the outset, 38 at adjournment while a maximum of 47 at one point during the proceedings. 
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PkMAP, NP and ANP attended the sitting.

• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while Leader of the Opposition was present for 27 minutes.
• One minority member attended the sitting.
• Three members applied for leave.

Output

• Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid introduced Pakistan Protection Bill, 2014 which is aimed at providing protection against wagging of war against Pakistan and the prevention of acts threatening security of the country.
• Six members from the opposition benches- ANP (2) and one each from PPPP, MQM, PML, PkMAP- took part in the debate for 19 minutes and the bill was later referred to relevant standing committee.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sponsored by PPPP lawmaker, the House did not take up calling attention notice (CAN) due to shortage of time. It was about the construction of controversial zigzag link road from Benazir Bhutto Airport to the twin cities with estimated cost of Rs.15 billion.
• Four members participated in the debate on commenced motion moved by PPPP lawmaker for 36 minutes which was about foreign policy of the government with particular reference to the situation likely to emerge after elections in India and Afghanistan.

Order and Institutionalization

• Nine lawmakers spoke on as many points of order consuming 22 minutes of the proceedings.
• Entire opposition walked out from the House over withdrawal of subsidy on flour.

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.