ISLAMABAD, May 20, 2014: The Senate took up its entire agenda and debated prevailing political situation in the country during sixth sitting of its 104th session on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
The Leader of the House moved a motion to dispense with the rules to continue debate on the current political scenario on a motion under rule 218 commenced in previous sitting. Three senators discussed the issue for 54 minutes.
The Chairman Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented the reports of the committee on two bills namely The National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and The Federal Court (Repeal) Bill, 2014. The reports were laid after the motions were carried condoning the delay in their presentation.
The House took up four of the 49 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 29 supplementary questions as well. The House consumed major portion of the question hour on a single question after some members started debating the subject matter of the question regarding the privatization of PIA. All opposition parties walked out of the House for six minutes against the proposed privatization.
The Federal Minister for Defence Production responded to a calling attention notice regarding the resentment expressed by civilian officers of the military lands and cantonment departments caused by the continued occupation of their cadre post by the non-cadre officers since 1999.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Senate met for two hours and 25 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1644 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours with a delay of 44 minutes.
- The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting as the Chairman was absent.
- Twelve senators were present at the outset, 21 at adjournment while a maximum of 39 at one point during the proceedings.
- The parliamentary leader of PML-N, PPPP, ANP, NP, PML and PkMAP attended the sitting.
- Two minority members were present.
- Seven members applied for the leave.
- The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition came 41 minutes late.
Output
- The Chairman Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented the reports of the committee on two bills namely The National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and The Federal Court (Repeal) Bill, 2014. The reports were laid after the motions were carried by condoning the delay in their presentation.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The Leader of the House moved a motion to dispense with rules to continue debate on the current political scenario in the country on a motion under rule 218 commenced in previous sitting. Three senators discussed the issue for 54 minutes.
- The House took up four of the 49 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 29 supplementary questions as well. The House consumed major portion of the question hour on a single question after some members started debating the subject matter of the question on the privatization of PIA.
- The Federal Minister for Defence Production responded to a calling attention notice regarding the resentment expressed by civilian officers of the military lands and cantonment departments caused by the continued occupation of their cadre post by the non-cadre officers since 1999.
Order and Institutionalization
- All opposition parties walked out of the House for six minutes against the privatization of PIA.
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.
