• Select Committee presents report on Right to Information Bill, 2016

ISLAMABAD, March 16, 2017: The Senate transacted most of its agenda and witnessed presentation of Select Committee’s report on the Right to Information Bill, 2016, on Thursday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during 9^th sitting of the 260^th session:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for two hours and six minutes.
• The sitting started at 1518 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The Chairman presided over the sitting for an hour and 34 minutes while the rest of the proceedings were chaired by a Member of Panel of Presiding Officers.
• Deputy Chairman and Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• Leader of the House attended the sitting for two hours and four minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was not present.
• Parliamentary leaders of PML-F, JUI-F, PPPP, ANP, PTI, MQM and NP attended the sitting.
• Twenty (19% of the total membership – 104) lawmakers were present at the start and 19 (18%) at the adjournment of sitting.
• Three minority legislators attended the proceedings.

 Output

• The House witnessed presentation of Select Committee’s report on the Right to Information Bill, 2016. While, the sponsor withdrew his (PML lawmaker) bill as Standing Committee’s report has already been presented on an identical bill.
• Another report of the Standing Committee on Climate Change was also presented in the House.
• The House adopted two reports on the overall performance of PIA and the 24 demands made by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Chair admitted an Adjournment Motion (AM) to discuss the article of former ambassador to US published in Washington Post on March 10, 2017.
• Another AM was dropped due to the absence of mover. It was about uploading material on social media which is against religious, social and ethical norms and affecting the youth of the country.
• The Chair disapproved the AM of PPPP lawmaker admitted by a Member of Panel of Presiding Officer for discussion during the last sitting.
• The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding functioning of around 100 guest houses, private schools, media houses, hostels for men and women in residential areas of Islamabad Capital Territory despite ban imposed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on such business activities.
• Another CAN regarding air pollution caused by steel mills in federal capital was not taken up due to the absence of mover.
• All 11 Starred Questions appearing on the agenda were taken up during the sitting. In addition, lawmakers asked 15 Supplementary Questions.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Twelve Points of Public Importance were discussed for 36 minutes.

 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