ISLAMABAD, June 19, 2013: Starting 32 minutes late, the sixth sitting of the 95th session was marked by low attendance as the Upper House also adopted a resolution to condemn the suicide attack in Mardan.
Six Senators were present at the outset while nine were there when the sitting was adjourned after meeting for two hours and 28 minutes. A maximum of 28 Senators were present at one point of sitting.
Six Senators – two each of PPPP and PMLN and one each of ANP and MQM – discussed the budget for an hour and 40 minutes.
The Chairman chaired the sitting for an hour and 38 minutes, the Deputy Chairman for 35 minutes while the rest of the proceedings were chaired by a member of the Panel of Chairpersons.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- Senate met for two hours and 28 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1102 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 32 minutes.
- The Chairman chaired the sitting for an hour and 38 minute, the Deputy Chairman for 35 minutes while the rest of the proceedings were chaired by a member of the Panel of Chairpersons.
- The Leader of the House attended the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was not present.
- The parliamentary leaders of ANP, JUIF, MQM, NP and PMLF were present while those of PML and BNPA were absent.
- The Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization did not attend the sitting.
- Six Senators were present at the outset while nine were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 28 Senators were present at one point of sitting.
- Two minority Senators attended the sitting.
- Two Senators applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Six Senators – two each of PPPP and PMLN and one each of ANP and MQM – discussed the Annual Budget Statement for an hour and 40 minutes – 68% of the sitting time.
Output
- The Leader of the House moved a resolution condemning the suicide attack in Mardan, which was adopted unanimously.
Order and Institutionalization
- Eleven points of order consumed 20 minutes of the sitting time. None of the points of order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
- No instance of protest, walkout or boycott observed during the sitting.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on senators’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), a member organization of FAFEN