ISLAMABAD, December 20, 2018: The Chairman Senate referred a Privilege Motion of NP lawmaker against the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to the Senate Committee on Privileges on Thursday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during fifth sitting of 285^th session:

Members’ Participation

• The House met for two hours and 45 minutes.
• The sitting started two minutes behind the scheduled time of 1430 hours.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over entire sitting in absence of the Chairman.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting for an hour and 37 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and nine minutes.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-F, PML-N, PkMAP, PTI, JI and NP were present.
• As many as 13 Senators (12% of the total membership) were present at the outset and 19 (18%) at the end of the sitting.
• Only one out of four minority Senators attended the proceedings.

Output

• A member of the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication presented the committee’s report regarding closure of internet services in District Kalat and non-availability of telecommunication services in various parts of Balochistan.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs made a statement on a PPPP lawmaker’s Calling Attention Notice (CAN) highlighting the statement of Indian Foreign Minister about Kartarpur border opening. The minister consumed 47 minutes in replying to the notice and the supplementary queries of the lawmakers concerning Pakistan’s foreign relations with several world and neighboring nations. Under the Rule 64 (2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Senate 2012, a ministerial statement on a CAN should not exceed 15 minutes.
• The House did not address another CAN regarding reduction in Pakistani exports to Afghanistan due to absence of the movers of the notice.
• The House took up six out of 46 Starred Questions and referred a question to the relevant standing committee. The lawmakers asked 15 supplementary questions as well.

• The House granted 30-day extension to the Standing Committee on Petroleum for presenting its report on suspension of gas supply in Sindh.

• Tabled by the Leader of the House, the House passed a motion authorizing the Chairman Senate to nominate six senators for representation in Public Accounts Committee.
• The Chair referred the privilege motion of an NP lawmaker against NAB to the Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges.
• As many as nine lawmakers raised Points of Public Importance consuming 32 minutes of the proceedings.
• The House deferred the scheduled debate on Presidential Address and presentation of a statutory report.

 Order and Institutionalization 

• The House was adjourned to meet again on December 21, 2018 (Friday) at 1030 hours.

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