ISLAMABAD, July 8, 2015: The third sitting of the ongoing 117th Senate session witnessed low attendance of lawmakers on Wednesday as fifteen senators (14%) were present at the start of the sitting and 38 (37%) at the time of adjournment, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The Chair admitted an adjournment motion moved by PML lawmaker – regarding the proposed conversion of 1,400 acre National Agricultural Research Centre’s land into residential and commercial plots by the CDA – for discussion in any of the upcoming sittings.
PPPP lawmaker moved a motion under Rule 194(1) to extend time for presentation of report of the Standing Committee on Railways which was passed by the House.
Chairman, Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication presented report on a Point of Order raised by the leader of the Opposition on May 19, 2015 regarding selling of fake academic degrees and diploma by the “AXACT”, a Pakistani software company.
Chairman Standing Committee on Finance presented report of the Committee on the Credit Bureaus Bill, 2015.
State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs responded a public petition regarding non-installation of Machine Readable Passport System in the Embassy of Pakistan, Manila for Pakistani community residing in Philippines.
The House witnessed presentation of four periodical reports by the relevant ministers on matters referred by the House, related to electricity load shedding, incident of dropping of electricity transmission wire on a passenger bus in Dadu Sindh, and early shutting down of commercial centers or shops.
State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs presented the report on 2nd Biannual Monitoring on the Implementation of National Finance Commission (NFC) Award (January-June, 2014).
The House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding non-provision of funds and other facilities to the National Commission for Human Rights. Another CAN on the agenda regarding ban on the INGO “Save the Children”, was not taken up.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for three hours and 32 minutes.
- The sitting started at scheduled time of 1300 hours.
- The Chairman presided over the sitting for two hours and 24 minutes while the remaining proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Chairman.
- The Leader of the House and the Opposition leader attended the sitting for two hours and 44 minutes.
- The Prime Minister was not present.
- 15 Senators (14%) were present at the start and 38 (37%) at the end of the sitting.
- A maximum of 50 Senators (48%) attended the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of JUI-F, PkMAP, BNP-M, PTI, MQM, PPPP, PML-N, PML, NP and PML-F were present.
- Three minority members were present.
- Three members applied for leave.
Output
- Chairman, Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication presented report on a Point of Order raised by the leader of the Opposition on May 19, 2015 regarding selling of fake academic degrees and diploma by the “AXACT”, a Pakistani software company.
- Chairman Standing Committee on Finance presented report of the Committee on the Credit Bureaus Bill, 2015.
- State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs presented the report on 2nd Biannual Monitoring on the Implementation of National Finance Commission (NFC) Award (January-June, 2014).
Representation and Responsiveness
- The Chair admitted an adjournment motion of PML lawmaker for discussion which was about proposed conversion of 1400 acre land of National Agricultural Research Centre by the CDA into residential/commercial plots.
- The House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding non-provision of funds and other facilities to the National Commission for Human Rights.
- Another CAN about ban on the INGO “Save the Children” and subsequent withdrawal of said ban by the Government was not taken up.
- Nine out of 34 starred questions appearing on the agenda were taken up. Additionally, the legislators raised 30 supplementary questions.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers raised 13 points of order that consumed 32 minutes (15%) of the sitting time.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
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This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.