ISLAMABAD, April 11, 2018: The Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution to condemn airstrikes on a religious seminary in Kunduz in Afghanistan and also referred six government bills to relevant committees after their introduction, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during the third sitting of 276th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Senate met for three hours and one minute.
- The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
- The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
- The Deputy Chairman and the Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the House attended the sitting for two hours and three minutes.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 54 minutes.
- As many as 18 (17%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 26 (25%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of JI, BNP-M, PkMAP, PTI, NP, JUI-F , PML-F, PPPP and PML-N attended the sitting.
- Three minority lawmakers were present.
Output
- The House witnessed introduction of the Women in Distress and Detention Fund (Amendment) Bill 2017, the Juvenile Justice System Bill 2018, the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Protection Bill 2018, the Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Bill, 2018 and the Health Services Academy (Restructuring) Bill, 2018.
- Moved by a JUI-F lawmaker, the House adopted a joint resolution to condemn airstrikes on a religious seminary in Kunduz in Afghanistan killing several persons including students.
- The House adopted the proposed amendment in sub-rule (1) of rule 158 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012. It was regarding constitution of more than one Standing Committee for a Ministry having more than one Division where Divisions are headed by separate Ministers.
- Minister for Parliamentary Affairs presented the Second Quarterly Report for the year 2017-2018 of the Central Board of Directors of the State Bank of Pakistan on the state of Pakistan’s Economy.
- Sponsored by the Leader of the Opposition, the Chair admitted an adjournment motion for discussion. It was regarding decision of the Civil Aviation Authority to operationalize new Islamabad International Airport with effect from April 20, 2018.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) regarding appointment of Ambassador of Pakistan to USA and low salaries of teachers working in Basic Education Community Schools. These CANs were responded to by Ministers for Religious Affairs and Federal Education and Professional Training respectively.
- The House took up seven out of 13 starred questions. In addition, lawmakers asked 22 supplementary questions.
- As many as 20 lawmakers spoke on Points of Public Importance consuming an hour and 12 minutes of the proceedings
Order and Institutionalization
- A PkMAP lawmaker walked out of the House for four minutes when the Chair did not allow him to raise a supplementary question according to Rule 57 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2012.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- The attendance of lawmakers is available on the website.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceeding conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted