ISLAMABAD, March 8, 2018: The Senate took up most of its agenda on Thursday except a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) due to absence of its mover, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during the fourth sitting of 274th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Senate met for three hours and 30 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 14 minutes due to prayer break.
- The sitting started at 1533 hours against the scheduled time of 1530 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 did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for two hours.
- As many as 14 (13%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 15 (14%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of MQM, PPPP, PML-F, JI, PkMAP and BNP-M attended the sitting.
- Two minority lawmakers were present.
Output
- Convener Special Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor presented reports regarding visit to Gawadar from May 2 to May 4, 2017 and also visit to China from November 29 to December 3, 2017.
- Chairman Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication presented special reports of the Committee for the period from May 13, 2015 to February 28, 2018.
- On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Industries and Production, a member of the Committee presented special report of the Committee for the period from October, 2017 to February, 2018.
- On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions, a member of the Committee presented special report of the Committee for the period from August 17, 2017 to February 23, 2018.
- On behalf of Chairperson Functional Committee on Human Rights, a member of the Committee presented special reports of the Committee for the period from May 21, 2015 to February 9, 2018 regarding the procedure of filing mercy petition. He also presented report about proposed procedural changes to prevent misuse of Blasphemy Law.
- On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Energy, a member of the Committee presented report regarding the Pakistan Power and Infrastructure Board (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
- Chairman Standing Committee on Housing and Works presented report on a starred question regarding plots under the quota for constitutional bodies.
- On behalf of Chairman Select Committee, a member of the Committee presented report regarding the Prevention of Witchcraft Bill, 2017.
- Chairman Functional Committee on Government Assurances presented report regarding measures taken by the Government to eradicate the menace of plagiarism.
- On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Finance, a member of the Committee presented report of the Committee on a CAN regarding thirty promotional posts of Custom Inspectors lying vacant in the Customs Collectorate of Quetta.
- The House adopted two special reports of Standing Committee on Finance under Rule 196 (1). These reports were regarding separation of cadres of Accounts and Audit in order to avoid conflict of interest and legislation in respect of the Federal Consolidated Fund (FCF) and Public Account.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up a CAN regarding supply of low quality petrol which was responded to by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.
- Another CAN on the agenda was dropped due to absence of relevant lawmaker who sponsored it. This notice was regarding decision of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to put Pakistan in the grey list for failing to fulfill its obligations to prevent terror financing.
- The House passed a motion under Rule 194 (1) granting extension of 45 days to the Special Committee on performance of PIA for presentation of its report regarding breach of privilege by the Secretary Aviation Division and Chief Executive Officer, PIA.
- Eight outgoing Senators made farewell speeches for two hours and 49 minutes.
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