ISLAMABAD, December 2, 2013: The first sitting of the Senate’s 99th session was marked by low attendance of Senators, as the House left more than two-third of the agenda on the Orders of the Day unaddressed, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the Upper House.
Low attendance was observed during the first sitting of the session. Twenty-two Senators were present at the beginning while 45 (a maximum) at the adjournment of the proceedings.
The House did not take up five resolutions and four motions for debate appearing on the agenda. However, a supplementary resolution to condole the death of KP Senator Muhammad Mukhtair Ahmed was adopted.
A bill further to amend the Civil Servants Act, 1973, The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was introduced and sent to the relevant standing committee. Additionally, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, presented its report on its visit to Turkey.
Two Motions under Rule 218 to discuss the procedure laid down for the appointment of superior court judges, and importance of water in national economy were taken up by the House. Seven lawmakers shared their views on the motions moved by a PPPP and ANP lawmaker, respectively.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for two hours and 15 minutes. The House observed an 18 minute prayer break.
- The sitting started at 1649 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 49 minutes.
- The Chairman presided over 23 minutes of the proceedings while the remaining time (minus the break) was Chaired by the Deputy Chairman.
- The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition were present throughout the sitting.
- Twenty-two Senators were present at the outset of the sitting, while 45 were there at the adjournment.
- Only the parliamentary leaders of MQM, PPPP, ANP and JUI attended the sitting.
- One minority Senator attended the sitting.
- Ten of the Members applied for leave.
Output
- The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2013, introduced by an ANP lawmaker, was sent to the relevant standing committee. The Chair directed the committee to produce its report by next Friday.
- A report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, on its visit to Turkey from 1st to 7th December, 2012 was laid before the House.
- The House adopted a supplementary resolution to condole the death of Senator Muhammad Mukhtair Ahmed (1988 to 1994) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Seven lawmakers spoke on two Motions under Rule 218 each regarding the procedure laid down for the appointment of superior court judges, and importance of water in national economy and steps required to be taken by the government to address the growing water scarcity in the country. The motions were sponsored by a PPPP and ANP lawmaker, respectively.
Order and Institutionalization
- Two points of order were raised consuming five minutes of the session.
- No protest, boycott or walkout was observed during the proceedings.
Transparency
- Orders of the Day were available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on Senators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to 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 excepted
