ISLAMABAD, June 30, 2014: The Senate gave its nod to two legislative bills including the Protection of Pakistan Bill, 2013 on Monday during the first and last sitting of 106^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The Leader of the House, who was also the Convener of Special Committee on Recruitment, presented the report of the committee. The Chairman of Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control also laid the report on the Protection of Pakistan Bill, 2013. The reports were presented after the House approved the motions seeking to condone the delay in their presentation.

The Federal Minister for Science and Technology moved the House to consider the Protection of Pakistan Bill, 2013 clause by clause as reported by the standing committee. The Senate unanimously approved the bill. The House passed the Emigration (Amendment) Bill, 2013 as well which was sponsored by a PPPP lawmaker.

A legislator of MQM withdrew a motion under rule 218 regarding condition of health sector after the Chair vowed to defer discussion over it till a later sitting. The House approved a motion that sought to authorize the Chairman Senate to make nominations in consultations with all parliamentary leaders for the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms. The Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights moved the motion.

The Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Interior & Narcotics Control replied to a calling attention notice moved by two ANP lawmakers regarding the firing incident on a plane near Peshawar Airport. The entire opposition staged a token walkout against treasury for not giving satisfactory reply to the CAN. A female lawmaker belonging to BNP-A also walked out against not taking his party into confidence over the matter of donating salary to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan.

The senators spoke on 16 points of order consuming 42 minutes of the proceedings. The session was prorogued after transacting its business.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and 33 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1724 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours with a delay of an hour and 24 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting as the Chairman was absent.
• The Leader of the House the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
• Thirty-four senators were present at the outset, 32 at the adjournment while a maximum of 49 at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, MQM, PkMAP and NP attended the sitting.
• Three minority members attended the sitting.
• Five members applied for leave.

Output

• The House passed the Emigration (Amendment) Bill, 2013 which was sponsored by a PPPP lawmaker.
• The Federal Minister for Science and Technology moved the House to consider the Protection of Pakistan Bill, 2013 clause by clause as reported by the standing committee. The House unanimously approved the bill.
• The Leader of the House, who was also the Convener of Special Committee on Recruitment, presented the report of the committee. The Chairman of Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control also laid the report on the Protection of Pakistan Bill, 2013. The reports were presented after the House approved the motions seeking to condone the delay in their presentation.

Representation and Responsiveness

• A legislator of MQM withdrew a motion under rule 218 regarding condition of health sector after the Chair vowed to defer discussion over it till a later sitting.
• The Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights moved the motion seeking to authorize the Chairman Senate to make nominations in consultations with all parliamentary leaders for the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms. The House approved the motion unanimously.
• The Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Interior & Narcotics Control replied to a calling attention notice moved by two ANP lawmakers regarding the firing incident on a plane near Peshawar Airport.

Order and Institutionalization

• The entire opposition staged a token walkout against treasury for not giving satisfactory reply to the CAN.
• A female lawmaker belonging to BNP-A also walked out against not taking his party into confidence over the matter of donating salary to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan.
• The senators spoke on 16 points of order consuming 42 minutes of the proceedings.

Transparency

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