Session Prorogued
ISLAMABAD, May 23, 2014: The Senate unanimously passed two bills and concluded debate on the political situation during the eighth and last sitting of 104th session on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Tabled by Minister for Science and Technology, the House passed the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Federal Court (Repeal) Bill, 2014.
The National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (Amendment) Bill 2014 seeks amendment to include the Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court as member of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee while the Federal Court (Repeal) Bill, 2014 seeks to repeal the Federal Court Act, 1937.
The Upper House, meanwhile, concluded debate on the political scenario prevailing in the country as four legislators – PML-N (2), and one each of PPPP and PML – participated in it, consuming 41 minutes of the proceedings.
A newly elected MQM lawmaker took the oath of office.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for an hour and 58 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1044 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours with a delay of 14 minutes.
- The Chairman presided over the entire sitting while Deputy Chairman was also present.
- Seven Senators were present at the outset, 28 at adjournment while a maximum of 38 at one point during the proceedings.
- The parliamentary leader of PPPP, PML-N, PML-F and PkMAP attended the sitting.
- Three minority members were present.
- Nine members applied for leave. The leave application of an MQM Parliamentary Leader, who remained absent during the whole session due to foreign visit, was approved by the House after submission of motion by a Senator of his party.
- The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 43 minutes.
Output
- Tabled by Minister for Science and Technology, the House passed the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Federal Court (Repeal) Bill, 2014.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Four Senators spoke for 41 minutes on the commenced motion under rule 218 regarding political situation in the country. Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions concluded the debate on it.
- The House took up all 18 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) on the agenda while 12 of them were responded to by the relevant ministries. The lawmakers asked 32 supplementary questions as well.
Order and Institutionalization
- Legislators spoke on 2 points of order for two minutes.
- No instance of protest, walkout or boycott was witnessed during the sitting.
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.
