ISLAMABAD, February 14, 2018: The Chairman Senate on Wednesday did not allow to lay the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 in the House as it was not tabled during the last session in violation of rules despite its promulgation on January 10, 2018, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The Chair in his ruling said that CDA (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 was promulgated on January 10, 2018 but was not presented in the 272^nd session of Senate held between January 22, 2018 to January 26, 2018.

As per Rule 145 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business “On the commencement of a session, as soon as may be but not later than ten days after the commencement of the session, all Ordinances referred to in sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution, made after prorogation of the last session, shall be laid on the Table”.

In his ruling, the Chair directed the Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division to explain the reason behind this delay within two days.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during the third sitting of 273^rd session:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for three hours.
•  The sitting started at 1503 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for an hour and 50 minutes while rests of the proceedings were chaired by a member of Panel of Presiding Officers.
• The Deputy Chairman did not attend the sitting.
•  Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for two hours and 23 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• As many as eight (7%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 15 (14%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of MQM, PPPP, PkMAP, PML-F, JI, BNP-M, and PML-N attended the sitting.
• Two minority lawmakers were present.

Output 

• State Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs presented the Annual Progress Report of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for the period of 2016-2017.
• Chairperson Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs presented report on a point of public importance regarding illegal hunting of birds in Balochistan by Arab Princes and local MPAs.
• On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Interior, a member of the Committee presented three reports on various parliamentary interventions including a bill.
• Chairman Senate did not allow to present the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 in the House and directed to submit the reasons behind delay in its presentation within two days.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up two Calling Attention Notices regarding the failure of Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PIERA) to control the behavior of private educational institutions’ administration in Islamabad and non-availability of even a single child psychiatrist in the hospitals at Islamabad.
• The House passed five motions under Rule 194 (1) to grant extension to Standing Committee on Interior for presentation of its as many reports on various parliamentary interventions till March 6, 2018.
• The House took up seven out of 29 Starred Questions for answers during the Question Hour. The lawmakers asked 16 supplementary questions as well.
• Eleven lawmakers spoke on as many points of public importance consuming 45 minutes of the proceedings.
• None of three adjournment motions appearing on the agenda was admitted for debate.
• Minister for Defence gave a statement about defence policy of the country and spoke for 16 minutes.
• Minister In-Charge of Cabinet Division and State Minister for Information and Technology informed about status of implementation on the recommendations contained in the reports of the relevant committees addressed to them.

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