ISLAMABAD, February 7, 2014: The Senate witnessed low interest of lawmakers as only one third of the agenda could be taken up on Friday during fourth sitting of its 101^st session, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the Upper House of Parliament.

Meeting for an hour and 25 minutes, the House took up only one of the three agenda items set for today.

Fourteen senators were present at the outset, while 31 were there at the adjournment of the sitting.

The Chairman of Standing Committee on Water and Power laid the report of the committee for the period from March 21, 2013 to September 9, 2013 while a motion to debate the report was also adopted by the House.

Only ten of the 24 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) were taken up during the sitting. Members asked 31 supplementary questions as well. Two of the questions were deferred as relevant ministries failed to provide their answers on given time. The questions were directed to the ministry of commerce and textile, cabinet division, aviation division, climate change division, establishment division and capital administration & development division. The federal ministers for commerce, parliamentary affairs and religious affairs replied to the questions.

A JUI-F member walked out from the House against kidnapping of four workers of his party from Sukkur-Shikarpur road. A female lawmaker of PPPP protested against the Deputy Chairman for not taking up her calling attention notice (CAN).

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and 25 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1116 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 46 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting as the Chairman was absent.
• Fourteen senators were present at the outset, 31 at the adjournment while a maximum 43 at a point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, BNP-A, JUI-F, PML-F and PkMAP were present.
• A minority senator attended the sitting.
• Only one member applied for leave.

• The Leader of the House was present during the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition came ten minutes late and stayed till adjournment.
  

Output

• The Chairman of Standing Committee on Water and Power laid the report of the committee for the period from March 21, 2013 to September 9, 2013 while a motion to debate the report was also adopted by the House.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Only ten of the 24 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) were taken up during the sitting. Additionally, members asked 31 supplementary questions. Two of the questions were deferred as relevant ministries failed to provide their answers on given time. The questions were directed to the ministry of commerce and textile, cabinet division, aviation division, climate change division, establishment division and capital administration & development division. The federal ministers for commerce, parliamentary affairs and religious affairs replied to the questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• A female lawmaker of PPPP protested against the Deputy Chairman for not taking up her CAN.
• A JUI-F member walked out from the House against kidnapping of four workers of his party from Sukkur-Shikarpur road.

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