ISLAMABAD, April 13, 2015: The Senate witnessed thin attendance on Monday as eleven senators (11%) were present at the start of the sitting and 45 (43%) at the time of adjournment, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The House passed two resolutions during the sitting. One of them was passed to express grief over the demise of former senator Qazi Muhammad Shahid while the other urged the preservation and development of sacred archaeological sites in the country.

The lawmakers discussed the overall situation of education in the country as part of a commenced motion under Rule 218. The State Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training concluded the debate, in which 15 other lawmakers (two each from PPPP, MQM, PTI, ANP, PML-N and PML and one each from PkMAP, BNP-M and JI) participated for 23 minutes.

The House also held a discussion on the Constitution in the wake of Constitution Day for 79 minutes. Twelve lawmakers, including two PML-N members and once each from PPPP, PML, PKMAP, PTI, ANP, BNP-M, NP, MQM, JI, JUI-F shared their views on the subject.

An ANP lawmaker tabled a resolution for implementation of the National Action Plan during the sitting. However, the House deferred the discussion on the resolution as it was opposed by the treasury members. In addition, a PML-N lawmaker introduced the Islamabad Mandatory Vaccination and Protection of Health Workers Bill 2015, which was referred to the relevant standing committee for further consideration.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for four hours and 22 minutes.
• The sitting started at its scheduled time of 1600 hours.
• The House observed a prayer break for 19 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for four hours and 14 minutes.
• The Opposition Leader was absent.
• 11 members (11%) were present at the start and 45 (43%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 56 senators (54%) were present at one point of the proceedings
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML, ANP, PkMAP, JI, PML-F and PTI were present.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.
• Three members applied for leave.

Output

• The House passed two resolutions – to express grief over the demise of former senator Qazi Muhammad Shahid and to preserve and develop sacred archaeological sites in the country.
• The Islamabad Mandatory Vaccination and Protection of Health Workers Bill 2015 was introduced by a PML-N lawmaker and referred to the relevant standing committee.
• An ANP lawmaker tabled a resolution for implementation of the National Action Plan during the sitting. However, the House deferred the discussion on the resolution as it was opposed by the treasury members.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House passed a motion under Rule 204 to appoint a Special Committee for examining questions involving breach of privilege.
• Four other motions about regarding import of LNG in the country, the banking sector’s performance, corruption in federal government departments and the new aviation policy were moved in the House.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ 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 in no way 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 are excepted.