ISLAMABAD, May 21, 2014: The Senate continued discussion on political situation in the backdrop of recent media controversy on Wednesday during seventh sitting of 104th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Four senators spoke for 44 minutes on the motion under rule 218 commenced in an earlier sitting regarding political scenario in the country.
The Chairman Standing Committee on Defence presented the report of the Committee in the form of Media Manual on Defence Budget, 2014.
The House took up ten of the 31 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 24 supplementary questions as well.
The House also took up a calling attention notice (CAN), moved by a female senator of PPPP, regarding disbursement of only 57.4% funds allocated for PSDP till 16th May, 2014, as mentioned in the official website, whereas 85% should have been disbursed according to financial disbursement schedule of Planning Commission. The Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan responded to the CAN.
The entire opposition staged a two-minute token walk out against a letter written by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) threatening to increase electricity load-shedding up to 14 hours over non payment of circular debt amounting up to 350 billion rupees.
Five lawmakers raised as many points of order consuming 14 minutes of the proceedings. The lawmakers also offered condolence prayers on the demise of the husband of a female member.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for two hours and 20 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1646 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours with a delay of 46 minutes.
- The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting as the Chairman was absent.
- Fourteen senators were present at the outset, 21 at adjournment while a maximum of 38 at one point during the proceedings.
- The parliamentary leader of PML-N, PPPP and PkMAP attended the sitting.
- Only one minority member was present.
- Five members applied for leave.
- The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition came an hour and 35 minutes late.
Output
- The Chairman Standing Committee on Defence presented the report of the Committee in the form of Media Manual on Defence Budget, 2014.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Four senators spoke for 44 minutes on the motion under rule 218 commenced in an earlier sitting regarding political scenario in the country.
- The House took up ten of the 31 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 24 supplementary questions as well.
- The House also took up a calling attention notice (CAN), moved by a female senator of PPPP, regarding disbursement of only 57.4% funds allocated for PSDP till 16th May, 2014, as mentioned in the official website, whereas 85% should have been disbursed according to financial disbursement schedule of Planning Commission. The Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan responded to the CAN.
Order and Institutionalization
- The entire opposition staged a two-minute token walk out against a letter written by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) threatening to increase electricity load-shedding up to 14 hours over non payment of circular debt amounting up to 350 billion rupees.
- Five lawmakers raised as many points of order consuming 14 minutes of the proceedings.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was 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.
