ISLAMABAD, January 2, 2015: Starting 15 minutes behind the schedule, the 10th sitting of the Senate’s 109th session on Friday continued a debate on the Presidential address to the Parliament amid low attendance, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Four lawmakers – one each belonging to PkMAP, PPPP MQM and PML-N – spoke in the debate for 18 minutes, 13 minutes, 11 minutes and seven minutes respectively.
Only seven members (7%) were present at the start and 30 (29%) at the end of the sitting that was presided over by the Chairman. The Leader of the House, the Opposition Leader and the parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PkMAP, MQM, PML-N and ANP attended the sitting.
The House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) sponsored jointly by PML, ANP and BNP-A regarding increase in price of natural gas for consumers. The State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources responded to the CAN, while two ANP lawmakers besides the movers discussed it for 36 minutes.
The House also took up a report presented by the Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile Industry on October 30, 2014 and supported its recommendations to increase investments in the country. Two PPPP lawmakers discussed the report for 13 minutes while a PML-N lawmaker for spoke on it for eight minutes.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for an hour and 54 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1015 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 15 minutes.
- The Chairman presided over the entire sitting. The Deputy Chairman was absent.
- The Leader of the House was present for an hour and 39 minutes while the Opposition Leader attended the entire sitting.
- Seven members (7%) were present at the start and 30 (29%) at the time of sitting’s adjournment.
- A maximum of 42 senators (40%) were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PkMAP, MQM, PML-N and ANP attended the sitting.
- Two minority members were present.
- Eight members applied for leave.
Output
- The House took up a report presented by the Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile Industry on October 30, 2014 and supported its recommendations to increase investments in the country. Two PPPP lawmakers discussed the report for 13 minutes while a PML-N lawmaker for spoke on it for eight minutes.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Four lawmakers – one each belonging to PkMAP, PPPP MQM and PML-N – spoke in the debate for 18 minutes, 13 minutes, 11 minutes and seven minutes respectively.
- The House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) sponsored jointly by PML, ANP and BNP-A regarding increase in price of natural gas for consumers. The State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources responded to the CAN, while two ANP lawmakers besides the movers discussed it for 36 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- No point of order was raised during the sitting.
- No protests/walkouts/boycotts were witnessed.
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This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. 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 regretted