ISLAMABAD, May 25, 2021: The Senate on Tuesday adopted a joint resolution to express solidarity with the people of Palestine, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during the second sitting of the 311th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Senate met for four hours and five minutes.
- The sitting started at 04:10 pm against the scheduled time of 04:00 pm.
- The Chairman presided over the entire proceedings.
- The Deputy Chairman remained present for three hours and five minutes.
- The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for two hours and fifty minutes.
- As many as 48 lawmakers (46%) were present at the outset and 15 (14%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The Parliamentary leaders of PTI, PPPP, MQMP, JI, PML-N, BNP, PkMAP and PML-Q attended the sitting.
- Two minority lawmakers were also present.
Output
- The House unanimously adopted a joint resolution to express solidarity with the Palestinians on behalf of the Pakistani people and condemned Israel’s systematic assault against the Palestinians during Ramadan at the Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Eighteen lawmakers spoke on the subject for three hours and 53 minutes, while the foreign minister concluded the debate by ensuring the House that Pakistan will stand with the Palestinians until the resolution of the dispute. The Chairman directed the Secretariat to send copy of the resolution to all Parliaments of the world, embassies in Islamabad, and all important forums of the world after getting it translated into English, Arabic, and French languages.
- The House carried a motion to suspend the business of the private members’ day for continued discussion on the Palestinians issue in the next sitting as well.
- On behalf of the Minister for Finance and Revenue, a lawmaker laid down a copy of the Money Bill, the Tax Laws Amendment Bill, 2021 in the House, as had been required under Article 73 of the Constitution.
- The House adopted a motion moved by a lawmaker on behalf of the Minister for Finance and Revenue to seek recommendations, if any, of the National Assembly on the Money Bill, Tax Laws Amendment Bill 2021, as required under Article 73 of the Constitution. The Chair advised the Senators to submit their recommendations on these till May 28, 2021.
Order and Institutionalization
- A JUI’s lawmaker walked out of the House at 20:02 hours and did not return until the adjournment of the sitting.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on May 27, 2021 (Thursday) at 16:00 hours.
Transparency
- “Orders of the Day” was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Attendance of the lawmakers was available to the media and observers.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted