- Session Prorogued
ISLAMABAD, September 3, 2018: The Senate deferred agenda on Private Member’s Day to debate the issue of rigging in General Elections 2018 on Monday which could not be initiated in the previous two sittings, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings during the last (sixth) sitting of 281st session:
Members’ Participation
- The Senate met for five hours and 13 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 25 minutes due to prayer break.
- The sitting started one minute behind the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
- The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
- The Leader of the House was present for four hours and 38 minutes.
- The Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
- Parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PML-F, PkMAP, NP, PTI, JI, BNP-M, and MQM attended the sitting.
- As many as 16 members (15% of the total membership – 104) were present at the outset and 18 (17%) at the end of sitting.
- Two minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
Output
- Chairman Standing Committee on Information presented report on the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
- Chairman Standing Committee on Commerce presented report on a point of public importance regarding collapse of power looms sector in Faisalabad.
- On behalf of Chairperson Committee on Delegated Legislation, a member of the Committee presented 9th quarterly report of the Committee for the period from May to July 2018.
- The House did not consider the legislative agenda, private members’ resolutions and five motions under Rule 218.
.Representation and Responsiveness
- The House discussed an adjournment motion regarding the issue of rigging in General Elections, 2018. Twenty-nine lawmakers spoke on it for three hours and 58 minutes while the Leader of the House winded up debate during his 11 minutes speech.
- Punjab Governor nominee Chaudhry Sarwar made a farewell speech in the House as Senator for seven minutes.
- Four lawmakers spoke on as many matters of public importance for eight minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- The Session was prorogued sine die.
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