ISLAMABAD, June 10, 2016: The Senate consumed major part of sitting in debate on Finance Bill, 2016 during 7th sitting of its 249th session on Friday, 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 three hours and eight minutes.
- The sitting started three minutes late against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
- The Chairman chaired the entire sitting while Deputy Chairman was also present.
- The Leader of the House attended the sitting for 119 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 87 minutes.
- Finance Minister did not attend the sitting.
- Parliamentary leaders of BNP-M, PPPP, ANP, PML-F, PkMAP, PML, JI, PML-N and JUI-F attended the sitting.
- 12 members (11% of the total membership – 104) were present at the outset and 26 members (25%) at the end of the sitting.
- All four minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
Output
- On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Finance, a PTI lawmaker presented reports on the Corporate Restructuring Companies Bill, 2016 and the Financial Institutions (Secured Transactions) Bill, 2016.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eleven Senators expressed their views on a commenced motion to make recommendations to National Assembly on the Finance Bill, 2016. They spoke on it for 143 minutes (76% of proceeding time).
- The House took up a Calling Attention Notices (CAN) regarding construction of an LNG Terminal in the obstruction of Bundel Island causing threats to security which was responded to by the Minister for Climate Change.
- Another CAN regarding the import of whey powder and meat was deferred on the request of mover.
- The Chair did not admit an adjournment motion (AM) for being in contravention with rules. This AM was about non-development of Sector G-14 by the Federal Government Housing Foundation.
Order and Institutionalization
- Seven Points of Public Importance consumed 22 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.
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