ISLAMABAD, December 5, 2013: Low attendance of Senators was observed, as the House continued its debate on the recent price-hike in petroleum products, gas and electricity charges and other essential items, says Free and Fair Elections Network in its daily factsheet.
Seven lawmakers belonging to MQM, BNP-A, ANP, PML, PkMAP, PPPP and an Independent Member debated the motion for an hour and 17 minutes. A PPPP lawmaker tabled the said motion on Tuesday.
Low attendance was observed during the proceedings with 18 Senators present at the outset while a maximum 34 at the adjournment of the sitting. Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, ANP and PML attended the proceedings.
The House took up a Calling Attention Notice addressed to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs regarding the process of delimitation of constituencies underway in the respective provinces for the upcoming local government elections in the absence of new population census.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for three hours and eight minutes.
- The sitting started at 1107 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 37 minutes.
- The Chairman presided over the sitting for an hour and 33 minutes while the remaining time was chaired by the Deputy Chairman.
- The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition were present throughout the sitting.
- Eighteen Senators were present at the outset while a maximum 34 at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The Minister In-Charge replied to the queries.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, ANP and PML attended the sitting.
- Two Minority Senators attended the sitting.
- Four lawmakers applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- All 17 Starred questions on the agenda, addressed to the Cabinet and Establishment Divisions, were taken up and answered. Additionally, 33 Supplementary questions were also asked.
- The House continued its debate on a Motion (under Rule 218) regarding the recent price-hike of various commodities for an hour and 17 minutes. Seven Members; a single
- lawmaker each from MQM, BNP-A, ANP, PML, PkMAP, PPPP and an Independent Member shared their views on the motion.
- Tabled by a female PPPP lawmaker, a Calling Attention Notice regarding the process of delimitation of constituencies in the country was taken up.
Order and Institutionalization
- Five Points of Order were raised consuming 23 minutes of the sitting.
- There were no instances of protest, boycotts or walkouts during the sitting.
Transparency
- Orders of the Day were available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on Senators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
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
