ISLAMABAD, February 17, 2014: More than half of the proceedings were consumed by the points of order during the 10^th sitting of ongoing 101st Senate session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) based on direct observation of the House.

Twenty-three law makers- six of PPPP, four each of PML-N, MQM, ANP, two of PML, one each of PkMAP, BNP-A and an independent – spoke on 22 points of order for 68 minutes.

ANP legislator moved a privilege motion against Chairman of PTI for his alleged statement against senators. Signed by 26 lawmakers and endorsed by all parliamentary parties of Senate, the motion was referred to the relevant standing committee.

Speaking on a point of order, a female lawmaker belonging to PPPP raised the issue of reduction in security of Chairman Senate. The Deputy Chairman, who was presiding the sitting, referred the issue to the relevant committee.

The House discussed the motion under rule 218 regarding the privatization policy of the Government and three senators including one each from PML-N, ANP and an independent spoke on it for 48 minutes.

The House admitted two motions under rule 218 for discussion in a later sitting. A motion, sponsored by PPPP lawmaker was about the surge in incidents of Cyber Crimes in the country and the steps being taken by the Government to control it. The other motion was brought by JUI-F legislator and was about power shortage in the country and its subsequent effects on the economy.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and six minutes.
• The sitting started at 1547 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours with a delay of 47 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Fourteen senators were present at the outset, 22 at the adjournment while a maximum of 36 at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, ANP, PkMAP and BNP-A attended the sitting.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.

• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was not present.

• Eleven members applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• ANP legislator moved a privilege motion against Chairman PTI for his alleged statement against senators. Signed by 26 lawmakers and endorsed by all parliamentary parties of Senate, the motion was referred to the relevant standing committee. 
• The House discussed the commenced motion regarding privatization policy of the Government. Three legislators – one each from PML-N, ANP and an independent – spoke on it for 48 minutes.
• The House admitted for discussion two motions under rule 218 regarding increasing incidents of Cyber Crimes and power shortage in the country.

Order and Institutionalization

• Legislators spoke on 22 points of order for 68 minutes.
• Speaking on a point of order, a female lawmaker belonging to PPPP raised the issue of reduction in security of Chairman Senate. The Deputy Chairman, who was presiding the sitting, referred the issue to the relevant committee.
• There were no incidents of protests, walkouts and boycotts

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.