ISLAMABAD, April 20, 2016: Minister for Defence gave an in-camera briefing to the Senate on Wednesday regarding arrest of a high profile spy of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) operating across the country especially in Balochistan, says Free and Fair Election Network.

The Chair suspended the proceeding of the House for 23 minutes over absence of relevant ministers during the Question Hour.

Some key observations are as follows:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for four hours and 53 minutes.
• The sitting started at its scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The House had a prayer break for 11 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Chairman was not present.
• Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting.
• The Opposition Leader was not present in the proceeding other than in-camera briefing.
• 15 (14%) Senators were present at the start and 21 (20%) at the time of adjournment.
• Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, BNP-M, ANP, NP, PPPP, JI, PTI, PML, BNP-A, PML-F and JUI-F were present.
• Two minority members were present.

.Output

• Chairman, Standing Committee on Defence presented report on the mid-year review of budget of the Ministry of Defence.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Chair admitted an adjournment motion for discussion regarding the recent sit-in at D-Chowk.
• The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) about non-payment of salaries to the employees of Pakistan Steel Mills for the last five months which was responded to by the State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.
• Another CAN about shifting of summit on Science and Technology from Pakistan to Kazakhstan was not taken up by the House due to absence of relevant minister.
• The House passed a motion under Rule 194 (1) seeking extension of 30 days to submit report about a demand of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government.
• The House passed a motion to approve the Senate Finance Committee Rules, 1973, framed under Article 88 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, as amended till April, 2016.
• The House took all 15 starred questions appearing on the agenda. In addition, the lawmakers also asked 26 supplementary questions.
• The House discussed a commenced motion under Rule 218 about Panama Leaks. Fifteen lawmakers participated in debate for 81 minutes.
• Following an adjournment motion, the House was given in-camera briefing about arrest of Indian spy.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.

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.