ISLAMABAD, February 4, 2014: The Protection of Pakistan (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014 was laid in the Upper House amid opposition’s protest, during the second sitting of its 101st session on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the Senate.
The House debated a motion under rule 218 regarding political and security situation in the country in the wake of recent terrorist attacks. Three senators belonging to PPPP, PML-N and BNP-A took part in the debate that continued for thirty-four minutes.
A report of the Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control for the period of July 4, 2012 to March 19, 2013 was also laid in the House. However, the Chair deferred it for the time being.
The House also took up eight of the 15 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). Members asked 29 supplementary questions, as well. Two of the relevant ministers were present while ministers for communications, parliamentary affairs and national health services, regulation and coordination did not attend the proceedings and their colleagues gave replies on their behalf.
The opposition staged a token walkout for three minutes against the electricity tariff hike and non-reduction of petroleum prices in the country.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for two hours and 15 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1111 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 41 minutes.
- The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
- Nineteen senators were present at the outset, 35 at the adjournment and a maximum 44 at a point during the proceedings.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, BNP-A, NP and PkMAP were present.
- Two minority senators attended the sitting.
- Only one member applied for leave.
- The Leader of the House was present during the entire sitting, however, the Leader of the Opposition attended the proceedings for 48 minutes.
Output
- The federal minister for inter provincial coordination introduced the Protection of Pakistan (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014 (Ordinance No. I of 2014) in the Senate amidst protest of the opposition parties.
- A report of the Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control for the period of July 4, 2012 to March 19, 2013 was laid in the House. However, the Chair deferred its consideration.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House debated a motion under rule 218 regarding political and security situation in the country in the wake of recent terrorist attacks. Three senators belonging to PPPP, PML-N and BNP-A took part in the debate that continued for thirty-four minutes.
- The House also took up eight of the 15 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). Members asked 29 supplementary questions as well.
- Two of the relevant ministers were present while ministers for communications, parliamentary affairs and national health services, regulation and coordination were absent and other ministers gave oral replies on their behalf.
Order and Institutionalization
- The House witnessed uproar when a federal minister tried to introduce the Protection of Pakistan (Amendment) Ordinance 2014. The senators from opposition benches raised slogans against the proposed bill.
- The opposition staged a token walkout for three minutes against the electricity tariff hike and non-reduction of petroleum prices in the country.
- The members spoke on eight points of order consuming 40 minutes of the proceedings.
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.
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