ISLAMABAD, December 14, 2015: With eighteen (17%) lawmakers present at the outset and 28 (27%) at the time of adjournment, the Senate took up most of its agenda during first sitting of its 122nd session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its daily factsheet.

The agenda mainly included introduction of a bill, five resolutions and discussion on six motions under Rule 218.

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceeding

• The Senate met for three hours and 52 minutes.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The House had a prayer break for 13 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Prime Minister was not present.
• The Leader of the House and the Opposition Leader attended the entire sitting.
• Eighteen Senators (17%) were present at outset and 28 (27%) at end of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JUI-F, NP, BNP-M, PTI, PPPP, PML, PML-F and MQM were present.
• Three minority members were present.

Output

• The House unanimously adopted five resolutions on the agenda.
• These resolutions were about expressing solidarity with families of martyrs of Army Public School Peshawar, implementation on law of disallowing the resurrection of banned outfits under other names, provision of gas to areas in vicinity of gas fields, ensuring basic facilities to residents of slum areas in Islamabad and making correct Urdu translation of Khyber Pakhtunkwa in all official documents.
• A supplementary resolution to pay tribute to poet, writer and columnist Jamiluddin Aali was also adopted.
• The House witnessed introduction of the National University of Medical Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2015 which was referred to the relevant committee.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House witnessed presentation of two reports by Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Privileges, four by Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, one each by Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs; National Health Services; and Law, Justice and Human Rights. .
• The House adopted a motion under Rule 194 (1) to condone delay in presentation of its report on a starred question no.59 asked on July 29, 2009. Two other motions under Rule 194 (1) were also adopted to extend period for presentation of three various reports. One of the similar motions was deferred due to absence of mover.
• The House discussed a commenced motion under Rule 218 about controlling poverty in the country. Twelve lawmakers spoke in it for 52 minutes.
• A motion under rule 218 to improve efficiency of Pakistan’s mission abroad was discussed by eight lawmakers for 32 minutes.
• Three lawmakers discussed another motion under Rule 218 about LNG issue for 25 minutes.
• The House discussed the situation arising out of non-construction of new dams in the country for 25 minutes. Seven lawmakers participated in debate on it.
• Two other motions were not discussed due to absence of movers.

Order and Institutionalization

• Sixteen points of public importance consumed 50 minutes of the sitting’s time.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public
• The attendance of lawmakers was available to observers and media

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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.