ISLAMABAD, December 3, 2013: Staring 32 minutes late, the second sitting of the ongoing 99th Senate session witnessed low attendance of Senators as 17 were present at the outset while 45 were there at the adjournment says Free and Fair Election Network.
The sitting lasted two hours and 35 minutes. Thirteen Points of Order were raised which consumed 50 minutes of the sitting time. None of the Points of Order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
Ten out of 48 Starred Questions appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to the relevant ministry. Additionally, 27 supplementary questions were also asked.
The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition were present during the entire sitting.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for two hours and 35 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1132 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours, witnessing a delay of 32 minutes.
- The Chairman chaired the sitting.
- The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition were present throughout the sitting.
- Seventeen senators were present at the outset of the sitting, while 45 were there at the adjournment.
- The parliamentary leaders of MQM, PPPP, ANP, BNP-A and PML-N attended the sitting.
- Two minority senators attended the sitting.
Output
- Three Ordinances — the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 (Ordinance No.VII of 2013), the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 (Ordinance No.VIII of 2013) and the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance 2013 (Ordinance No.IX of 2013) were presented to the House.
- Two Standing Committee reports were presented during the sitting.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Ten out of 48 Starred Questions on the agenda (requiring oral replies) were taken up and responded to the relevant ministry. Additionally, 27 supplementary questions were also asked.
- Two Questions of Privilege were raised and taken up by the House.
- Moved by a PPPP Legislator, the House took up a Motion under Rule 218 about price hike of various commodities. The motion will be discussed in the next sitting.
Order and Institutionalization
- Thirteen Points of Order were raised which consumed 50 minutes of the sitting time.
- There were no instances of protest, boycotts or walkouts during the sitting.
Transparency
- Orders of the Day were 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
