ISLAMABAD, November 8, 2013: Marked by low attendance of Senators, the last sitting of the 98th session of the Senate met for 49 minutes and left most of the agenda listed on the Orders of the Day unaddressed, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the Senate.
The sitting was marked by low interest of Senators: only two Senators were present at the outset while 18 were there at the adjournment.
The Quorum was visibly lacking at various points of the sitting. The lack of Quorum was pointed out by a PPPP legislator, which prompted the adjournment of the sitting. The entire opposition, except the MQM, continued their boycott of the sitting over the alleged misconduct of the Federal Interior Minister.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for 49 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1133 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and three minutes.
- A Member of Panel of Presiding Chairpersons chaired the sitting. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the House attended the entire proceedings while the Leader of the Opposition was absent.
- Two Senators were present at the outset of the sitting, while 18 were there at the adjournment.
- Only the parliamentary leaders of MQM and PML-F attended the sitting.
- Two minority Senators attended the sitting.
- None of the members applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Only one Starred Question (requiring oral reply) out of 49 on the agenda was taken up and responded to by the relevant minister. Additionally, two supplementary questions were asked.
Order and Institutionalization
- One Point of Order was raised during the sitting.
- The entire Opposition, with the exception of MQM, continued their boycott of the proceedings over the alleged misconduct of the Federal Minister for Interior.
- The Quorum was visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting. It was pointed out by a PPPP legislator, which prompted the adjournment of 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
