ISLAMABAD, August 7, 2015: Low attendance persisted in the fifth sitting of the ongoing session of Upper House on Friday as only 13 (12%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 38 (37%) at the time of adjournment, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet.
The House admitted an Adjournment Motion (AM) moved by PML-N lawmaker on the status of steps taken by the government for the construction and rehabilitation of 2005 earthquake affected areas. Three other AMs on the agenda were deferred by the Chair.
The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs); one regarding survey for redesigning of Bhara Kahu housing scheme for government employees and the other about cordoning off a playground-cum-funeral place in village Banda Phagwaria, Abbottabad.
The House witnessed presentation of reports on the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2015; the Cantonments (Amendment) Bill, 2015; new aviation policy, shifting of Civil Aviation Authority Headquarters as well as its training institute and starred question No. 106 regarding work of renovation of Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad.
Another motion under Rule 196 (1) was adopted by the House about giving equal representation to all provinces in various policy and administrative boards and councils envisaged under several Acts of the Parliament.
The House discussed mode of elections of senate members, four legislators participated in the discussion– one each of PPPP, PML-N, NP and PML – spoke on for 40 minutes while Chairman Senate also expressed his views for eight minutes.
Some key observations are as follows:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for two hours and 13 minutes
- The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1100 hours
- Chairman presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman was also present.
- The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting.
- The Opposition Leader was not present.
- Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
- Thirteen (12%) senators were present at the start and 38 (37%) at the time of adjournment.
- A maximum of 43 senators (41%) were present at one point of the sitting.
- Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, ANP, BNP-M, JUI-F, PPPP, PML and NP were present.
- Three minority members were present.
- Only One member applied for leave.
Output
- The House witnessed presentation of reports on the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2015; the Cantonments (Amendment) Bill, 2015; new aviation policy, shifting of Civil Aviation Authority Headquarters as well as its training institute and starred question No. 106 regarding work of renovation of Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The Chair admitted an Adjournment Motion (AM) moved by PML-N lawmaker about the status and steps taken by the government for the construction and rehabilitation of 2005 earthquake affected areas. Three other AMs on the agenda were deferred by the Chair.
- The House took up two CANs; one regarding survey for redesigning of Bhara Kahu housing scheme for government employees and the other about cordoning off a playground-cum-funeral place in village Banda Phagwaria, Abbottabad.
- The House passed a motion under Rule 194 (1) to extend the period for presenting the report regarding tapping of VIPs’ phone calls till October 16, 2015.
- Another motion under Rule 196 (1) was adopted by the House about giving equal representation to all provinces in various policy and administrative boards and councils envisaged under several Acts of the Parliament.
- Three out of 13 starred questions appearing on the agenda were taken up. Additionally, lawmakers raised nine supplementary questions.
Order and Institutionalization
- No Point of Order was raised during the sittings.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and public.
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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 are excepted.