ISLAMABAD, April 10, 2018: The Senate observed its Constitution Day on Tuesday and discussed the theme on “Enhancement of Role and Powers of Senate of Pakistan; to protect the rights of the Federating Units”, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during the second sitting of 276th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Senate met for three hours and 44 minutes.
- 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 11 minutes.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for two hours and 55 minutes.
- As many as 28 (27%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 31 (30%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of BNP-M, PML-F, NP, PTI and PPPP attended the sitting.
- Two minority lawmakers were present.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Sponsored by the Leader of the Opposition, the House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding decline in foreign reserves of the country at the rate of 200-250 million USD per week. It was responded to by State Minister for Finance.
- Another CAN regarding appointment of Ambassador of Pakistan to USA was deferred on request of minister.
- The House did not take up the Pakistan Power and Infrastructure Board (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
- Minister for Law and Justice presented the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 and the Annual Report of the National Economic Council for the Financial Year 2016-17.
- The Chair rejected two adjournment motions for being in contravention with rules while an adjournment motion was dropped due to absence of relevant movers.
- The House took up seven out of 11 starred question. In addition, lawmakers asked 18 supplementary questions.
Order and Institutionalization
- A privilege motion of PTI lawmaker against a librarian of Senate was referred to the relevant committee.
- Three lawmaker spoke on as may points of order consuming 10 minutes of the proceedings.
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