ISLAMABAD, February 2, 2015: Starting 40 minutes behind the schedule, the second sitting of the Senate’s 110th session witnessed the introduction of two bills, adoption of a resolution and debate on the National Internal Security Policy 2014-18 amid low attendance of lawmakers, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Only eighteen members (17%) were present at the start and 15 (14%) at the end of the sitting which was presided over by the Deputy Chairman. The Leader of the House, the Opposition Leader and the parliamentary leaders of PPPP and ANP were present in the sitting.

Two PPPP senators introduced the Torture and Custodial Death (Punishment) Bill 2014 and the Corporate Rehabilitation Bill 2015 separately.

The House adopted a resolution tabled by a JUI-F lawmaker to control corruption in the country. Another resolution tabled by an ANP senator regarding usage of sacred names in their original form rather than translations was referred to the relevant standing committee. Meanwhile, three other resolutions regarding increase in subsidy on electricity for domestic consumers, conducting the sixth population census and controlling price hike of essential commodities were left unaddressed.

The House took up a motion under Rule 218 regarding non-payment of net hydro profits to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in line with AGN Kazi formula and Arbitration Award of 2006. The lawmakers also discussed the National Internal Security Policy 2014-2018 under another motion moved by a PPPP lawmaker. As many as six lawmakers belonging to PPPP, MQM, ANP, PML-N, PML and JUI-F shared their views on the motion for 38 minutes, while the State Minister for Interior concluded the discussion with his 17-minute speech.

Additionally, two PPPP lawmakers spoke on another motion dealing with recommendations of the Civil Services Reforms Committee – particularly those pertaining to promotions in the bureaucracy on the pattern of the army – for 11 minutes. Furthermore, the lawmakers also discussed the privatization/sale of OGDCL shares and non-payment of revenue to the provinces for 11 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for three hours and one minute.
• The sitting started at 1640 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting in the absence of the Chairman.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting.
• The Opposition Leader was present for two hours and 21 minutes.
• Eighteen members (17%) were present at the start and 15 (14%) at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 28 senators (27%) were present at one point of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of ANP and PPPP attended the sitting.
• The House observed a 25-minute break for prayers during the sitting.

Output

• Two PPPP senators introduced the Torture and Custodial Death (Punishment) Bill 2014 and the Corporate Rehabilitation Bill 2015 separately.
• The House adopted a resolution tabled by a JUI-F lawmaker to control corruption in the country.
• Another resolution tabled by an ANP senator regarding usage of sacred names in their original form rather than translations was referred to the relevant standing committee.
• Three other resolutions regarding increase in subsidy on electricity for domestic consumers, conducting the sixth population census and controlling price hike of essential commodities were left unaddressed.
• The Chairman Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control presented the reports on the Torture, Custodial Death and Custodial Rape (Prevention and Punishment) Bill 2014 and the Anti-Honour Killings Laws (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill 2014.

Representation and Responsiveness

• An ANP lawmaker spoke on a motion under Rule 218 regarding non-payment of net hydro profits to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in line with AGN Kazi formula and Arbitration Award of 2006 for four minutes.
• The lawmakers also discussed the National Internal Security Policy 2014-2018 under another motion moved by a PPPP lawmaker. Six lawmakers shared their views on the subject for 38 minutes while the State Minister for Interior concluded the discussion with his 17-minute speech.
• Additionally, two PPPP lawmakers spoke on a motion dealing with recommendations of the Civil Services Reforms Committee – particularly those pertaining to promotions in the bureaucracy on the pattern of the army – for 11 minutes.
• Furthermore, the lawmakers also discussed the privatization/sale of OGDCL shares and non-payment of revenue to the provinces for 11 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• Two points of order consumed five minutes of the proceeding’s time.
• No protests/walkouts/boycotts were witnessed.

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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 are regretted