ISLAMABAD, March 3, 2014: The Senate suspended its regular agenda to discuss law and order in wake of terrorist attack in District Courts Islamabad on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

Thirteen lawmakers spoke on fourteen points of order which were related to the tragic incident that killed a Judge of the lower courts. The opposition members walked out of the House against the absence of interior minister.

The Leader of the House moved a motion to hold Private Members’ Day tomorrow (Tuesday) due to the suspension of regular agenda today. The motion was carried. The Chair ruled that the National Security Policy and the report of Islamabad attack be laid in the House.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for an hour and 24 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1538 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours with a delay of 38 minutes.
• The Chairman presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Chairman was not present.
• Ten senators were present at the outset and a maximum of 40 at the adjournment.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, PML, PML-F and ANP attended the proceedings.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.
• Three members applied for leave.
• The Leader of the House attended the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was absent.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Chairman suspended the regular agenda due to the recent incident of terrorism in district courts Islamabad.
• The Leader of the House moved a motion to hold the Private Members’ Day tomorrow (Tuesday), which was carried.
• The Chair ruled that the National Security Policy and the Islamabad incident report be laid in the House.

Order and Institutionalization

• Thirteen lawmakers spoke on fourteen points of order regarding the Islamabad attack that killed a judge of lower courts.
• The opposition members walked out of the House against the absence of interior minister.

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.