ISLAMABAD, August 22, 2014: The last sitting of the 107th session of Senate unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the supremacy of the Constitution as well as Parliament and rejected the demands about the resignation of Prime Minister and the dissolution of Assemblies, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Sponsored by a PPPP Senator, the resolution also condemned derogatory remarks against parliamentarians by those leading protests and sit-ins in Islamabad. The Question Hour was suspended to debate the political situation in the country.
The sitting witnessed low attendance of Senators as 9 (9%) were present at the outset while 24 (23%) at the adjournment of the sitting. The Leader of the House was present during the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for an hour and 30 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1103 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours with a delay of an hour and three minutes.
- The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
- Nine senators (9%) were present at the outset, 24 (23%) at the adjournment while a maximum of 32 (31%) at one point during the proceedings.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML-N and PkMAP attended the sitting.
- One minority member attended the sitting.
- Four members applied for leave.
- The Leader of the House was present during the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
Output
- Sponsored by a PPPP Senator, the House unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the supremacy of the Constitution and the Parliament rejecting the demands of certain political parties of the resignation of the Prime Minister and the dissolution of Assemblies.
- The Leader of the House presented the third Quarterly Report for the year 2013-2014 of the Central Board of Directors of the State Bank of Pakistan on the State of Pakistan’s Economy while reports on second Biannual Monitoring on the Implementation of National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for the period January-June 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Annual Report 2012 and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Annual Report 2013.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Sponsored by a PPPP Senator, the House discussed an Adjournment Motion to discuss the political situation due to gathering of participants of long marches outside the parliament was taken up. Eight Senators – three each of PPPP and PML-N and one each of MQM and ANP- took part in debate for 72 minutes.
- A PPPP Senator submitted a Question of Personal Privilege about the issues he faced on August 20, 2014 on his way to Parliament.
- The Question Hour was suspended to discuss the political situation.
Order and Institutionalization
- There were no instances of protests, boycotts or walkouts.
- No Point of Order was raised by any of the legislator.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on senators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
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This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. 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 excepted.