ISLAMABAD, June 2, 2017: The Senate continued the discussion on Finance Bill, 2017 consuming 61 minutes of the proceedings on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during 6th sitting of 263rd session:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for an hour and 49 minutes.
• The sitting started at its scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Chairman was not present.
• The Leader of the House was present for an hour and 41 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 52 minutes.
• Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, JUI-F, PkMAP, JI, PML-F, PML, PTI and PML-N attended the sitting.
• Thirteen Senators (12% of the total membership) were present at the outset and 24 (23%) at the end of sitting.
• Two minority Senators attended the sitting.

Output

• Chairman Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination presented the report of the committee on the National Health Care Bill, 2017.
• The lawmakers were informed that the National Assembly’s decision on 11 bills transmitted by the Senate. Six of these were passed without any amendment, four were rejected and one was passed with amendments.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• Five Senators expressed their views on a motion to make recommendations to National Assembly on the Finance Bill, 2017. They spoke on it for 61 minutes (56% of proceeding time).

• The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) about the non-functioning of Passport Office established in Harnai and imposition of ban on foreign tourists to visit Gilgit Baltistan without getting NOC. State Minister for Interior responded to both notices.
• The House granted 60-day extension to the Functional Committee on Human Rights for presentation of its report on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2017.
• The Chair did not admit three Adjournment Motions for discussion.

 Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• The attendance of lawmakers is available on the website.

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