ISLAMABAD, July 26, 2016: The Senate discussed laws and policies relating to marginalized segments of society during 7^th sitting of its 250^th session on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are some key observations of the House business:

Members’ Participation

• The Senate met for four hours and 13 minutes.
• The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The Chairman chaired the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman was also present.
• The Leader of the House did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 72 minutes.
• Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• Parliamentary leaders of BNP-M, ANP, PkMAP, PML-N, PTI, PPPP, NP, PML and MQM attended the sitting.
• Sixteen members (15% of the total membership -104) were present at the outset and 19 members (18%) at the end of the sitting.
• Two minority Senators attended the sitting.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House discussed laws and policies relating to marginalized segments of society; vulnerable children, women, handicapped, transgender and Minorities. Twenty lawmakers and Chairman Senate participated in debate on it that continued for two hours and 43 minutes.
• A Calling Attention Notice (CAN) about repeated statements of the Chairman WAPDA in the print/electronic media regarding construction of Kala Bagh Dam was deferred due to absence of Federal Minister for Water and Power.
• Another notice about twenty two Pakistani citizens stranded in Yemen was also deferred due to ministerial absence.
• The Chair admitted an adjournment motion for discussion which was regarding salient points of agreement between Pakistan and China.
• The House passed a motion under Rule 194 (1) to extend the presentation period of a report for 30 working days with effect from July 29, 2016. This report was about recalling/withdrawal of Order by the Chairman National Accountability Bureau  (NAB) wherein acting/current charges were given to various officers of NAB, in violation of rules, and reappointment of same officers, on the same day, in their Own Pay Scales.
• The House took 19 out of 32 starred questions appearing on the agenda. In addition, the lawmakers also asked 35 supplementary questions.
• A JUI-F lawmaker’s privilege motion  against misbehaviour of police officials with him at Chashma Barrage Police Check Post was admitted and forwarded to the relevant committee.

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 proceeding conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted