ISLAMABAD, April 16, 2015: The Senate continued to witness low attendance on Thursday as the House passed the Securities Bill 2015 to amend and consolidate laws regulating the securities industry, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The sitting started at its scheduled time with 28 legislators (27%) present at the start and 38 (37%) at the time of adjournment. Thirteen points of order (POs) consumed 39 minutes of the sitting.

In addition to the Securities Bill, the Seed Amendment Bill 2015, the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Credit Bureaus Bill 2015 and the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Bill 2015 were introduced and referred to the relevant standing committees.

The House approved amendments to Rule 58, Rule 67, Rule 172, Rule 194 and Rule 265 of the Senate. On the other hand, a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding the recent increase in petroleum prices was left unaddressed.

The Chair did not admit an adjournment motion moved by an ANP senator regarding a bomb planted near a former legislator’s residence. Instead, the Chair issued directions to provide adequate security to the ex-lawmaker.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for seven hours and two minutes.
• The sitting started at its scheduled time of 1015 hours.
• The House observed a break for 68 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting.
• The Opposition Leader was absent.
• 28 senators (27%) were present at the start and 38 (37%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 59 senators (57%) attended the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PTI, PkMAP, JUI-F, ANP, MQM, PML-F and BNP-A were present.
• Three minority members attended the sitting.
• Nine members applied for leave.

Output

• The House passed the Securities Bill 2015 to amend and consolidate laws regulating the securities industry.
• The Seed Amendment Bill 2015, the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Credit Bureaus Bill 2015 and the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Bill 2015 were introduced and referred to the relevant committees.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Ten out 12 starred questions appearing on the agenda were taken up during the sitting. Additionally, the legislators raised 28 supplementary questions.
• Twenty-two lawmakers discussed the 2012-13 annual report of the Council of Common Interests for three hours and 23 minutes.
• The House did not take up a CAN regarding the recent increase in petroleum prices.

Order and Institutionalization

• Thirteen points of order (POs) consumed 39 minutes of the sitting.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.

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This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and in no way 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 are excepted.