ISLAMABAD, October 30, 2014: The Senate witnessed a walkout by the opposition over the torture of OGDCL workers by Islamabad police on Thursday during the 10^th sitting of 108^th session which has been prorogued, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Low attendance was observed as 18 members (17%) were present at the outset, 17 (16%) at the end and a maximum of 42 at a point during the proceedings. The Leader of the House was present in the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was absent. The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PkMAP and JUI-F were also present.

Two ordinances – the Electoral Rolls (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 and the Delimitation of Constituencies (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 – were also introduced in the house.

Eight committee reports and the Federal Accounts for FY 2012-2013 and the reports of Auditor General for FY 2013-2014 were also presented.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and 40 minutes.
• The sitting began at 1539 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours witnessing a delay of 39 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting and the Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was absent.
• Eighteen members (17%) were present at the start, 17 (16%) at adjournment and a maximum of 42 (40%) at a point during the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PkMAP and JUI-F attended the sitting.
• Three minority members attended the sitting.
• Nine members applied for leave.

Output

• The State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs presented the Electoral Rolls (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 and the Delimitation of Constituencies (Amendment) Ordinance 2014.
• The Standing Committees on Commerce and Textile Industry Chairman laid a report for the period of May 3, 2013, to May 8, 2014.
• A PPPP senator tabled two reports of the Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges regarding a starred question asked by a PPPP Senator on February 28,2014, and a privilege motion moved by Senator Abdul Rauf on April 16, 2014, regarding the behavior of Karachi (South) Deputy Commissioner.
• A report of the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources was laid in the house on a calling attention notice (CAN) sponsored by an ANP Senator on August 6, 2008.
• The Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources Chairman presented a report on starred question No 161, asked on February 7, 2012, regarding excessive billing by SNGPL.
• A report of the Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics for the period of June 3 to 16, 2014, was also presented.
• The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman presented a report on the Public Hearing on Policy Options for Pakistan regarding peace in Afghanistan and region in light of the post-2014 withdrawal of NATO Forces.
• The Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control Chairman presented a report for the period of April 16 to December 11, 2013.
• The State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, on behalf of the Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization Minister, laid the Federal Accounts for the FY 2012-2013 and the reports of Auditor General for FY 2013-2014 as required under Article 171 of the Constitution.

Representation and responsiveness

• 13 out of 48 starred questions on the agenda were taken up while 40 supplementary questions were also asked. The questions were addressed to the Ministries of Law and Justice, Housing and Works and Water and Power.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on 8 points of order consuming 17 minutes of the proceedings’ time.
• The opposition staged a 2-minute walkout over the torture of protesting workers of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in Islamabad.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was not available to observers and the public.

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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 excepted.