ISLAMABAD, June 10, 2015: Sixteen Senators expressed their views on a motion to make recommendations to National Assembly on the Finance Bill, 2015 during 4^th sitting of 116^th session of the Upper House on Wednesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Six lawmakers belonging to PML-N followed by PPPP (4), MQM (3) and one each of PML, ANP and PkMAP spoke on the federal budget 2015-16 for three hours and 17 minutes.

Starting at the scheduled time, the Senate sitting witnessed low attendance of legislators as 14 members (13%) were present at the start and 22 (21%) at the end of the sitting.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for five hours and 55 minutes.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The House had a lunch break for two hours and 14 minutes.
• The Chairman chaired the sitting for two hours and 14 minutes while the remaining proceedings were presided over by the Deputy Chairman.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Opposition Leader was present for five hours and 23 minutes.
• Parliamentary leaders of PML, PTI, BNP-M, PPPP, PML-F and MQM attended the sitting.
• 14 members (13% of the total membership – 104) were present at the outset and 22 (21%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 49 lawmakers (47%) were present at the time of adjournment.
• Two minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
• Three legislators applied for leave.

Output

• The Leader of the House presented before the House a copy of S.R.O. 136 (I)/2015, dated the 13^th February, 2015.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sixteen Senators expressed their views on a motion to make recommendations to National Assembly on the Finance Bill, 2015 which included six lawmakers from PML-N followed by PPPP (4), MQM (3) and one each of PML, ANP and PkMAP.

• Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security gave a policy statement on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks against Pakistan.  He spoke for six minutes.
• The House did not take up a calling attention notice (CAN) due to the absence of the mover that relates to the rapid increase in slum areas (Kachi Abadis) across the country, especially in Islamabad Capital Territory.

Order and Institutionalization

• A point of order consumed two minutes of the sitting.
• PPPP, ANP, PTI, PML and BNP-A lawmakers walked out of the House for 38 minutes against the government attitude for not broadcasting the speeches of opposition legislators live on television.

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 is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.