ISLAMABAD, May 8, 2018: The Senate continued the discussion on Finance Bill, 2018 consuming two hours and 28 minutes of the proceedings on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during 7th sitting of 277th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Senate met for three hours and 22 minutes.
- The sitting started at its scheduled time of 1500 hours.
- The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
- The Deputy Chairman was not present.
- The Leader of the House was present for an hour and 49 minutes.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for two hours and 40 minutes.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
- Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PTI, BNP-M, PkMAP, ANP, JI and JUI-F attended the sitting.
- Sixteen (15% of the total membership-104) were present at the outset and 19 (18%) at the end of sitting.
- Three minority Senators attended the sitting.
Output
- An ANP lawmaker introduced the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018 which was referred to the Functional Committee on Human Rights.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eight Senators expressed their views on a motion to make recommendations to National Assembly on the Finance Bill, 2018. They spoke on it for two hours and 48 minutes (73% of proceeding time).
- The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding non-compliance of the indigenous scholarship program for students of Balochistan and FATA by various Medical Colleges. It was responded to by Federal Minister for National Health Services.
- Another CAN regarding excessive load shedding of electricity was not taken up due to absence of relevant minister.
- Six lawmakers spoke on as many matters of public importance for 16 minutes while State Minister for Finance also spoke on a matter for two minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- Four lawmakers spoke on five points of order consuming 20 minutes of the proceedings.
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