ISLAMABAD, July 11, 2012: Amid the opposition’s protest and boycott, the Contempt of Court Bill 2012 was passed in the third sitting of the Senate’s 83rd session on Wednesday.
The Leader of the House attended whole sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for three hours and 18 minutes. The sitting lasted four hours and 18 minutes. Nine Senators (9% of total Membership) were present at the start, while 58 (56%) were present when the sitting was adjourned.
The parliamentary leaders of the PMLF, BNPA, NP, JUIF and ANP attended the sitting.
A Call Attention Notice regarding unauthorized sale of land by Pakistan Navy leased to it by the Capital Development Authority was not taken up.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for four hours and 18 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1737 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1700 hours. The House proceedings started late by 37 minutes.
- The Chairman chaired the sitting. Deputy Chairman was not present.
- The Leader of the House attended whole sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for three hours and 18 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of the PMLF, BNPA, NP, JUIF and ANP attended the sitting.
- Nine Senators (9% of total Membership) were present at the start, while 58 (56%) were present when the sitting was adjourned.
- The House took a 31-minute break on account of prayers.
- One out of four Minority Members was present during the sitting.
- Eleven Senators were applied for leave to be absent.
Representation and Responsiveness
- A Call Attention Notice regarding unauthorized sale of land by Pakistan Navy leased to it by the Capital Development Authority was not taken up.
- Ten out of 18 questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded by the relevant minister. Additionally, 19 Supplementary questions were raised.
Output
- The Contempt of Court Bill 2012 was passed by the House.
Order and Institutionalization
- No Points of Order was raised during the sitting.
- The sitting witnessed protest by the opposition and boycott by PMLN Senators against the passage of the Contempt of Court Bill 2012.
Transparency
- Orders of the Day were available to legislators, observers and others.
- Information on Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), a member organization of FAFEN
