ISLAMABAD, October 26, 2017: The Prime Minister, on Thursday, briefed the Senate about LNG contract between Pakistan and Qatar, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the House proceedings during fourth sitting of the 269th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Senate met for an hour and 49 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1502 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
- The Chairman presided over the sitting for 39 minutes while the rests of the proceedings were chaired by a member of Panel of Presiding Officers.
- The Leader of the House attended the sitting for an hour and 32 minutes.
- The Leader of the Opposition remained present for an hour.
- Prime Minister attended the sitting for 18 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML-F, PkMAP, ANP, JUI-F, PTI, MQM, NP and PML-N attended the sitting.
- As many as 14 (13% of the total membership – 104) lawmakers were present at the start and 22 (21%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- Three minority legislators also attended the proceedings.
Output
- Convener Special Committee, Leader of the Opposition, presented the report after examining the issue of non-implementation of the decisions of the House on which the concerned Ministries failed to report.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) about Price Review Notice to re-negotiate the contract price of LNG set between Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Qatar Gas on February 10, 2016 according to which the contract price of LNG cannot be re-negotiated earlier than 2026. Prime Minister responded to it and spoke for five minutes.
- Another CAN regarding non-construction of a bridge in Islamabad was deferred on the request of the mover.
- The Chair admitted an adjournment motion for discussion which was about pointing out the means of availability of extremist ideology and literature to the students and the role of religious, security and educational institutions in this regard.
- Ten out of 27 Starred Questions were taken up for answers during the proceedings. In addition, lawmakers asked 34 supplementary questions. The Rule 57 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business allows to ask three supplementary questions as may be necessary for the elucidation of the answer. However, the lawmakers asked more than three supplementary questions on six starred questions.
- Four lawmakers raised as many Points of Public Importance consuming 10 minutes of the proceedings.
Order and Institutionalization
- PPPP lawmakers walked out of the House at 1639 hours when the Chair did not allow the Leader of the Opposition to speak on a CAN after being answered by the Prime Minister. They did not return to the House till the adjournment of the sitting at 1651 hours.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- The attendance of lawmakers is available on the Senate website.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted