ISLAMABAD, December 15, 2016: The Senate on Thursday passed the Panama Papers Inquiries Bill 2016 with majority vote, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during first sitting of the 256^th session.

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for four hours and nine minutes.
• The sitting started six minutes behind the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The House had a prayer break for 24 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
• Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, MQM, JUI-F, PML-N, PPPP and PTI attended the sitting.
• Fifty-nine members (57% of the total membership – 104) were present at the outset while 52 (50%) at end of the sitting.

Output

• The Senate passed the Panama Papers Inquiries Bill 2016 with majority vote. Thirty-seven lawmakers voted in favor of the bill while 15 Senators voted against it.
• The House adopted a resolution to disapprove the Companies Ordinance, 2016.
• Chairman Standing Committee on Industries and Production presented report for the period from June 9, 2015 to October 27, 2016.
• Chairman, Standing Committee on Climate Change presented report about Calling Attention Notice moved on June 10, 2016 regarding construction of LNG Terminal in Bundel Island, causing threats to Defence installations in the area.
• The House adopted 3^rd Interim Report on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

 Representation and Responsiveness

• The House passed a motion under Rule 194 (1) to extend the presentation period of report on the Premarital Blood Screening (Family Laws Amendment) Bill, 2016 for a further period of sixty working days with effect from December 16, 2016.
• The House discussed a Motion under Rule 218 about formation of Parliamentary Committee on National Security. Eight lawmakers participated in debate for 26 minutes.
• Another Motion under Rule 218 about political prisoners was not taken up.

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 proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted