ISLAMABAD, September 7, 2012: Starting 45 minutes late, the fifth sitting of the 85th session on Friday witnessed a walkout by Senators of a government ally – ANP – over issuance of the local government ordinance for Sindh.
The interior Minister spoke on the Rimsha Masih case for 45 minutes. Ten Senators – three ANP, two each of JUIF and PPPP, and one each of PMLF, MQM, and BNPA – debated the law and order with particular reference to target killings and sectarian violence in Balochistan, Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan for an hour and 53 minutes.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- Senate met for three hours and 18 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1045 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1000 hours. The proceedings started late by 45 minutes.
- The Deputy Chairman chaired the sitting for 45 minutes while the remaining was presided over the Chairman.
- The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition were present during the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PMLF, JUIF and ANP attended the sitting.
- Seven Senators (7% of total Membership) were present at the start, while 16 (16%) were present when the sitting was adjourned.
- Two Minority Senators were present during the sitting.
- Five Members applied for leave.
- The House took a break for three hours and 30 minutes.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The Interior Minister responded to a Calling Attention Notice moved by PMLN Senator on migration of Hindus to India.
Output
- No bill appeared on the Orders of the Day.
- The Chairman of Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges presented the report on the Privilege Motion moved by Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri on irresponsible attitude of SSGPL officials.
Order and Institutionalization
- Seven Points of Order consumed 40 minutes of the sitting time.
- ANP Senators staged a walkout over issuance of the local government ordinance for Sindh.
Transparency
- Orders of the Day were available to 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