ISLAMABAD, June 7, 2016: The Senate on Tuesday transacted its entire agenda appearing on ‘Order of the Day’ during 4^th sitting of its 249^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for four hours and 25 minutes.
• The sitting started three minutes late against the scheduled time of 1100 hours.
• The Chairman chaired the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for three hours and 57 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for three hours and 12 minutes.
• Finance Minister did not attend the sitting.
• Parliamentary leaders of PML-F, PkMAP, BNP-M, PPPP, NP, PML-N, ANP, MQM, JI and PML attended the sitting.
• 20 members (19% of the total membership – 104) were present at the outset and 17 members (16%) at the end of the sitting.
• Three minority Senators attended the sitting.

Output

• The House witnessed presentation of two reports. The first report by Standing Committee on Finance was about the Foreign Exchange Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2016 while other was special report of Standing Committee on Information Technology for the period from May 13, 2015 to April 6, 2016.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Ten Senators expressed their views on a commenced motion to make recommendations to National Assembly on the Finance Bill, 2016. They spoke on it for two hours and 54 minutes.
• The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding the decision of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) for 8% increase in the prices of medicine.
• The House discussed an adjournment motion (AM) regarding recent test of intercept Missile by India contributing to an unhealthy arms race in the region. Five lawmakers and Chairman Senate spoke on it for 29 minutes while Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs concluded debate on it during his six minutes speech.
• An AM regarding report of NEPRA presented in CCI was not admitted for being in contravention with rules while another AM about protest by nurses in Multan was dropped due to mover’s absence.
• The Chair admitted an AM for discussion on June 9, 2016 which was regarding re-verification of CNICs.
• The House passed a motion under Rule 194 (1) extending the presentation period of report on the recommendations made by various Senate Standing Committees on twenty four demands made by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Minister for Religious Affairs briefed  the House regarding moon sighting by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and disharmony among Muslims/countries all over the world about the advent of holy month of Ramadan.

Order and Institutionalization 

• Eight Points of Public Importance consumed 23 minutes of the proceeding.

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