ISLAMABAD, September 13, 2017: The Senate addressed its entire agenda on Wednesday taking up various foreign policy issues including the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the House proceedings during third sitting of 267th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Senate met for four hours and 10 minutes of which the proceedings remained suspended for 17 minutes due to prayer break.
- The sitting started at its scheduled time of 1500 hours.
- The Chairman presided over the sitting for three hour and three minutes while the Deputy Chairman presided over the rest of the proceedings.
- Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the House attended the sitting for two hours and 15 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 13 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PTI, BNP-M, MQM, JUI-F, ANP, JI and PkMAP attended the sitting.
- As many as 10 (9% of the total membership – 104) lawmakers were present at the start and 14 (13%) at the adjournment of sitting.
- Two minority legislators attended the proceedings.
Output
- Minister for Law and Justice briefed the House regarding the status of implementation on the Senate recommendations for framing the national policy in wake of new Afghan-South Asia Policy of the United States of America.
Representation and Responsiveness
- As many as 11 out of 31 Starred Questions were taken up for replies during the proceedings. The lawmakers asked 30 Supplementary Questions as well.
- The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) regarding the proposal to change the name of Benazir Bhutto International Airport and the report of IMF about the risks posed to economic outlook of Pakistan.
- Minister for Law and Justice concluded the debate on an Adjournment Motion (AM) regarding disappearance of Col. (R) Habib during his visit to Nepal and the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan for his recovery. The minister spoke for three minutes and also presented a report on this issue.
- Five lawmakers took part in the discussion on another Adjournment Motion regarding the recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the US and signing of several Defence agreements between the two countries. The discussion continued for 20 minutes and was concluded by the Minister for Law and Justice.
- Nineteen lawmakers participated in the discussion regarding the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The discussion continued for an hour and 13 minutes and was concluded by the Minister for Law and Justice.
- Two lawmakers took part in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President for his address to the Parliament. The discussion consumed 31 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- A JUI-F lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 1903 hours leading to the adjournment of the proceedings. .
Transparency
- Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Attendance of lawmakers is available on the website.
This daily factsheet is based on the direct observation of Senate proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted