ISLAMABAD, November 5, 2015: The Senate’s sitting on Thursday was marked by thin attendance of lawmakers and a major part of the proceeding was consumed by points of public importance, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The sitting started at its scheduled time with 10 legislators (9%) present at the start and 20 (19%) at the time of its adjournment. Thirty-five points of public importance consumed 80 minutes (47%) of the sitting.

Eight out of 20 starred questions appearing on the agenda were taken up. Ministers for Petroleum and SAFRON responded to them on behalf of Minsters for Finance and Planning. The rest of the questions could not be taken up due to absence of movers.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and 50 minutes.
• The sitting started at its scheduled time at 1000 hours.
• The Chairman presided sitting for 102 minutes while rest of the proceeding was chaired by a member of Panel of Chairperson.
• The Deputy Chairman and Prime Minister were not present.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting.
• The Opposition Leader was present for 98 minutes.
• 10 senators (9%) were present at the start and 20 (19%) at the end of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PKMAP, MQM, PML-N and NP were present.
• Two minority members were present.

 Output

• On behalf of Minister for Finance, the Minister Petroleum and Natural Resources presented before the House a copy of Gazette Notification of the Government Bai-Muajjal Financing Facility Rules, 2015 dated October 19, 2015.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sponsored by a male lawmaker from PkMAP belonging to Balochistan, the House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) about irregularities during recent appointments made against Balochistan quota in Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). It was responded by the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources.
• Another CAN sponsored by PTI lawmaker from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was taken up. The notice was about halt in the improvement and expansion work at passengers’ terminal, Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar. It was also responded to by the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources.
• Eight out of 20 starred questions appearing on the agenda were taken up. Additionally, the legislators raised 30 supplementary questions during the sitting.
• An adjournment motion sponsored by ANP Senator from Balochistan was dropped due to his absence.The motion was  regarding lowering of groundwater level in Balochistan. 

Order and Institutionalization 

• Thirty-five points of public importance consumed 80 minutes (47%) of the proceedings’ time. Of these points of public importance, 23 were regarding statement of a journalist against the parliamentarians during a TV program. Giving a ruling, the Chair directed the Senate Secretariat to write letters to PEMRA and Ministry of Information suggesting action against the journalist using objectionable language against parliamentarians.
• An ANP lawmaker walked out of the House for two minutes for not being allowed  by the Chair to speak on a matter of public importance.

 Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and others. 

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This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceeding conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted