ISLAMABAD, January 5, 2015: Starting 26 minutes behind the schedule, the 11th sitting of the Senate’s 109th session left 75% of the agenda unaddressed on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The House did not take up four motions under Rules 218 regarding progress on development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Civil Services Reforms Committee’s recommendations for promotions in the bureaucracy on the pattern of the Army; situation after drought in Thar and the government’s National Internal Security Policy 2014-2018.
Five resolutions regarding steps to control price of essential commodities; measures to conduct the 6th Housing and Population Census; increasing subsidy on electricity for domestic consumers; anti-corruption measures and setting up universities in each district were also not taken up by the House.
State Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination winded up the debate on a commenced motion regarding the overall condition of the health sector following its devolution to the provinces. She spoke on the motion under Rule 218 for six minutes.
Another commenced motion under Rule 218 regarding the overall performance of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) was also discussed. Eight lawmakers including the State Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training participated in debate that continued for 44 minutes.
The House held a debate on yet another motion regarding non-payment of net hydel profits to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in line with AGN Kazi formula and the Arbitration Award of 2006. Seven lawmakers discussed the motion for 57 minutes. Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for three hours and 18 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1526 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of 26 minutes.
- The Chairman presided over the sitting for an hour and 38 minutes, while the rest of the proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Chairman.
- The Leader of the House was present for two hours and 39 minutes, while the Opposition Leader attended the sitting for 25 minutes.
- Fourteen members (14%) were present at the start and 25 (24%) at the time of the sitting’s adjournment. A maximum of 45 senators (43%) were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML, PkMAP, NP, PML-N and ANP attended the sitting.
- Two minority members were present.
- Eight members applied for leave.
Output
- The House did not take up five resolutions regarding steps to control price of essential commodities; measures to conduct the 6th Housing and Population Census; increasing subsidy on electricity for domestic consumers; anti-corruption measures and setting up universities in each district across the country.
Representation and Responsiveness
- State Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination winded up the debate on a commenced motion under Rule 218 regarding the overall condition of the health sector following its devolution to the provinces.
- Another commenced motion under Rule 218 regarding the overall performance of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) was also discussed. Eight lawmakers – three belonging to ANP, two from PML-N and one each from PPPP, MQM and PkMAP – participated in debate that continued for 44 minutes.
- The House held a debate on a motion regarding non-payment of net hydel profits to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in line with AGN Kazi formula and the Arbitration Award of 2006. Seven lawmakers – three belonging to ANP, two from PPPP and one each from PML-N and PkMAP discussed the motion for 57 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- Thirteen points of order consumed 68 minutes of the proceedings’ time.
- ANP, PkMAP and independent senators from FATA walked out of the sitting for five minutes to protest the killing of ANP workers in Karachi.
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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 are regretted