ISLAMABAD, July 12, 2018: The Senate on Thursday took up most of its agenda appearing on `Orders of the Day” and debated recent political developments in the country, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during the third sitting of the 279^th session:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for three hours and 23 minutes.
•  The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1100 hours.
• The Chairman Senate presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Chairman did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for two hours and ten minutes.
• The Opposition Leader was present for an hour 43 minutes.
• As many as 14 (13%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 11 (10%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, ANP, PkMAP and MQM attended the sitting.
• One minority lawmaker was present

  Output

• The House witnessed presentation of reports by Standing Committees of National Health Services and Petroleum on the West Pakistan Juvenile Smoking (Repeal) Bill, 2018 and non-installation of RO Plants by the E&P Companies operating in District Sanghar respectively.
• Minister for Information presented the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 before the House.
• Minister for Finance presented the Annual Report along-with a copy of the auditors’ report and certified statement of accounts of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) for the Financial Year 2013-2014.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Chair admitted an adjournment motion for debate which was regarding the continuous display of abusive and blasphemous material against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on the Internet.
• An adjournment motion regarding the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products by the Caretaker Government was deferred.
• The House passed 14 motions under Rule 194 (1) granting extension to five Standing Committees for presentation of their reports on various parliamentary interventions.
• The House took up two out of 21 Starred Questions for answers during the proceedings. In addition, lawmakers asked three supplementary questions.
• A Calling Attention Notice about generation of electricity through costly sources was deferred.
• The House witnessed ministerial response on five mattes of public importance.
• Seventeen lawmakers spoke on as many matters of public importance for an hour and 50 minutes. Most of these matters were regarding political issues in the country.

 Order and Institutionalization

• The House was adjourned to meet again on July 13, 2018 (Friday) at 1030 hours.

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