TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
SENATE SESSIONS
LEGISLATION AT A GLANCE
LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS
Ordinances laid before the Senate during PY 2020-21
Government Bills received from the N.A during PY 2020-21
Money Bills received from the N.A during PY 2020-21
Government Bills Passed by the Senate during PY 2020-21
Private Members‟ Bills introduced in the Senate during PY 2020-21
Private Members‟ Bills passed by the Senate during PY 2020-21
Private Members‟ Bills referred for Joint Sitting
Private Members‟ Bills received from the National Assembly
LAYING OF CONSTITUTIONAL / STATUTORY REPORTS 15
Statutory reports laid by the Executive on the Table 15
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
Starred Questions
Un-Starred Questions
RESOLUTIONS
Resolutions passed by the Senate during PY 2020-21
MOTIONS UNDER RULE 218
Subject Matters of Motions U/R 218 discussed during PY 2020-21
ADJOURNMENT MOTIONS
CALLING ATTENTION NOTICES
CANs responded by the Ministers concerned in the house
PRIVILEGE MOTIONS 27
POINTS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE RAISED DURING ZERO HOUR 28
Matters referred to the Committees for consideration and report
Matters referred to the Ministries/Divisions for report
Matters disposed of in the House
AN OVERVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE OF SENATE COMMITTEES
SoPs devised for Committee meetings in view of Pandemic
Success Stories of Senate Committees
An Overview of Business referred to the Committees
Record of meetings held
Issues of Public Importance taken up by the Committees
Special Committees constituted by the Senate
INTER PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS (IPR)
RESEARCH SERVICES
LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING UNIT (LDU)
SENATE LIBRARY
PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT (PMU)
ADMINISTRATION BRANCH
Replacement of Carpet
Special measures under Covid-19
Renovation in Chairman office
Renovation of Deputy Chairman‟s Office.
Renovation / Maintenance at Block-C.
Security Measures
Groups/Universities/Schools/Organizations visited Parliament House.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
The Parliamentary Year 2020 – 2021 was a year full of unprecedented challenges in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The circumstances greatly affected our personal and work lives, and sadly also took away a few of our Honourable Members and hardworking employees. They will forever be remembered in our hearts as martyrs and as heroes.
At the end of the third year of my term as Chairman Senate of Pakistan, I am pleased to note that despite the great losses and severe limitations on the Parliament‟s working due to COVID-19, the Senate still performed its representative, legislative and oversight duties commendably. These achievements of the Parliamentary Year 2020 – 2021 are
particularly special because the Senate was functioning intermittently, with its officers often working from home during the high positivity spurts throughout the year.
Due to the special Parliamentary focus on containing the COVID-19 pandemic, legislative activities during PY 2020 – 2021 relatively declined compared to the previous year. However, I am pleased to note that 13 Private Members‟ Bills, and 8 Government Bills were passed by the Senate, along with the laying of 8 Ordinances. The Senate passed 31 Resolutions in PY 2020 – 2021, compared to the 45 Resolutions passed in the previous parliamentary year. The numbers of matters discussed through Motions under Rule 218 also came down from 27 to 15 during the year. Many Points of Public Importance were also raised during the Zero Hour.
With limited parliamentary gatherings throughout the year, a total of 260 meetings of Senate Committees were held during PY 2020 – 21, compared to 386 in the previous year. Regardless, the Committees disposed important legislative business, and exercised oversight on the Executive with due diligence and with positive outcomes leading towards public relief.
With strict travel restrictions across the globe, the Senate represented Pakistan in the many international virtual conferences and various virtual parliamentary events held in the PY 2020 – 2021. The delegations represented the Senate on pressing issues such as COVID-19 prevention, control and vaccinations; gender equality; trade; climate change; economics; human rights; health; education; and global preparedness against future challenges such as COVID-19.
On the Secretariat front, real-time decisions on the administrative side were constantly taken to ensure first and foremost, the safety of the Senate Secretariat employees and their families. In this respect, the Senate Secretariat was closed a few times during the year, owing to the rising positivity rates. During this time, the employees worked remotely from the safety of their own homes, with very limited attendance on rotation basis. Strict SOPs were also enforced with placement of sanitisers all around the Parliament building, and allowing only for essential movement.
With the Senate‟s term for half its Members coming to an end, I wish the honourable retiring Senators the best of luck with their future endeavours. At the same time, I extend a warm welcome to the new electees for their upcoming term. I also take great pride in the confidence invested in my office, and I thank you for taking interest and learning more about the Senate of Pakistan.
Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani
Chairman Senate
SENATE SESSIONS
Total Senate Sessions: | 11 |
Joint Sittings | 3 |
Number of working days | 110 |
Number of actual sittings | 60 |
Number of Private Members’ days | 10 |
Maximum attendance | 87 on 15-09-2020 during 303rd Session |
Minimum attendance | 43 on 16-06-2020 during 299th Session |
Average attendance | 64 per session |
Percentage of attendance | 62 % |
Total hours of sittings | 183 hours 45 minute |
Maximum hours of sitting | 06 hours and 33 minutes on 14-05-2020 |
Minimum hours of sitting | 50 minutes on 12-06-2020 |
Average hours per sitting | 03 hours and 01 minutes |
Summary of summoning, prorogation, actual sittings and working days during PY 2020-21.
Sl. | Session | Summoned | Prorogued | Actual | Working | Remarks | |
No | Number | On | On | Sittings | Days | ||
1. | 298th | 12-05-2020 | 14-05-2020 | 02 | 03 | Requisitioned | |
2. | 299th | 05-06-2020 | 24-06-2020 | 09 | 20 | Regular | |
3. | 300th | 13-07-2020 | 30-07-2020 | 09 | 18 | Regular | |
4. | 301st | 05-08-2020 | 05-08-2020 | 01 | 01 | Regular | |
5. | Joint Sitting | 06-08-2020 | 06-08-2020 | 01 | 01 | Joint Sitting | |
6. | 302nd | 13-08-2020 | 26-08-2020 | 09 | 11 | Regular | |
+ | |||||||
(Joint Sitting on | |||||||
20-08-2020) | |||||||
7. | 303rd | 15-09-2020 | 18-09-2020 | 03 | 04 | Regular | |
+ | |||||||
(Joint Sitting on | |||||||
16-09-2020) | |||||||
8. | 304th | 16-10-2020 | 29-10-2020 | 07 | 14 | Regular | |
9. | 305th | 30-12-2020 | 18-01-2021 | 09 | 20 | Requisitioned | |
10. | 306th | 22-01-2021 | 04-02-2021 | 06 | 14 | Regular | |
11. | 307th | 22-02-2021 | 22-02-2021 | 01 | 01 | Requisitioned | |
12. | 308th | 08-03-2021 | 11-03-2021 | 03 | 03 | Regular | |
Total:- | 60 | 110 Days |
LEGISLATION AT A GLANCE
During the Parliamentary Year 2020-21, the Senate of Pakistan continued to play its significant role as the prime legislative body. The summary of the legislative business undertaken by the Senate of Pakistan is as follows:
Summary of Legislation
Ordinances laid in the Senate during PY | 8 |
2020-21 | |
Government Bills introduced in the Senate | Nil |
during PY 2020-21 | |
Government Bills introduced in the Senate | Nil |
and passed during PY 2020-21 | |
Government Bills received from the | 16 |
National Assembly during PY 2020-21 | |
Government Bills received from the | 8 |
National Assembly and passed by Senate | |
during PY 2020-21 | |
Money Bills received from the National | 01 |
Assembly during PY 2020-21 | |
Private Members‟ Bills introduced in the | 62 |
Senate during PY 2020-21 | |
Private Members‟ Bills Passed by the Senate | 16 |
during PY 2020-21 | |
Private Members‟ Bill received from the | 08 |
National Assembly during PY 2020-21 |
LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS
Ordinances laid before the Senate during PY 2020-21
Following Ordinances were laid by the Government in the Senate of Pakistan
during the Parliamentary Year 2020-2021.
Sr. No | TITLE OF THE ORDINANCES | LAID ON | ||||||||
1. | The | Financial | Institutions | (Secured | 12-06-2020 | |||||
Transactions) | (Amendment) | Ordinance, | ||||||||
2020. (Ordinance No. IV of 2020) | ||||||||||
2. | The COVID-19 (Prevention of Hoarding) | 15-07-2020 | ||||||||
Ordinance, 2020. (Ordinance No. II of | ||||||||||
2020) | ||||||||||
3. | The | Companies | (Amendment) | Ordinance, | 29-07-2020 | |||||
2020. (Ordinance No. V of 2020) | ||||||||||
4. | The International Court of Justice (Review | 29-07-2020 | ||||||||
and Re-consideration) Ordinance, 2020. | ||||||||||
(Ordinance No. VI of 2020). | ||||||||||
5. | The | Public | Procurement | Regulatory | 29-07-2020 | |||||
Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. | ||||||||||
(Ordinance No. VII of 2020). | ||||||||||
6. | The Public Private Partnership Authority | 29-07-2020 | ||||||||
(Amendment) | Ordinance, | 2020. | ||||||||
(Ordinance No. VIII of 2020). | ||||||||||
7. | The | Corporate | Restructuring | Companies | 29-07-2020 | |||||
(Amendment) | Ordinance, | 2020. | ||||||||
(Ordinance No. IX of 2020) | ||||||||||
8. | The | Companies (Second Amendment) | 29-07-2020 | |||||||
Ordinance, 2020. | ||||||||||
(Ordinance No. X of 2020) |
Government Bills received from the N.A during PY 2020-21
Following 16 Government Bills have been passed by the Senate during the
Parliamentary Year 2020-2021.
Sr. | Title of the Bill | Received on | |||||||
No. | |||||||||
1 | The Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 29-07-2020 | |||||||
– | |||||||||
30-07-2020 | |||||||||
2 | The United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) Bill, | 29-07-2020 | |||||||
2020. | – | ||||||||
30-07-2020 | |||||||||
3 | The Mutual Legal Assistance (Criminal Matters) Bill, | 06-01-2020 | |||||||
2020. | |||||||||
4 | The Anti-terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 12-08-2020 | |||||||
5 | The Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill, | 12-08-2020 | |||||||
2020. | |||||||||
6 | The Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, | 12-08-2020 | |||||||
2020. | – | ||||||||
24-08-2020 | |||||||||
7 | The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 12-08-2020 | |||||||
– | |||||||||
24-08-2020 | |||||||||
8 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Trust Bill, 2020. | 12-08-2020 | |||||||
9 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Waqf Properties Bill, | 24-08-2020 | |||||||
2020. | |||||||||
10 | The Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill, | 24-08-2020 | |||||||
2020. | |||||||||
11 | The Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 14-09-2020 | |||||||
12 | The Emigration (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 29-10-2020 | |||||||
13 | The Control of Narcotic Substances (Second | 29-10-2020 | |||||||
Amendment) Bill, 2020. | |||||||||
14 | The Public Private Partnership Authority (Amendment) | 01-02-2021 | |||||||
Bill, 2021. | |||||||||
15 | The China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority Bill, | 01-02-2021 | |||||||
2021 | |||||||||
16 | The Pakistan Single Window Bill, 2021. | 01-02-2021 |
Money Bills received from the N.A during PY 2020-21
Following Money Bill was received from the National Assembly during the
Parliamentary Year 2020-2021.
Sr. | Title of the Bill |
No. | |
1. | The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2021.Received on 02-03-2021 |
Government Bills Passed by the Senate during PY 2020-21
Following eight Government Bills have been passed by the Senate during the
Parliamentary Year 2020-2021.
Sr. | Title of the Bill | Passed on | |||||||
No. | |||||||||
1. | The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 30-07-2020 | |||||||
Passed as Amended by the Standing Committee | |||||||||
on Law and Justice. (Act No. XX of 2020). | |||||||||
2. | The United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) | 30-07-2020 | |||||||
Bill, 2020. | |||||||||
Passed as Amended by the Standing Committee | |||||||||
on Law and Justice. (Act No. XXI of 2020). | |||||||||
3. | The Anti-terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 17-08-2020 | |||||||
Passed without Amendment. (Act No. XXIII of | |||||||||
2020). | |||||||||
4. | The Islamabad Capital Territory Trust Bill, 2020. | 18-08-2020 | |||||||
Passed without Amendment. (Act No. XXV of 2020). | |||||||||
5. | The Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill, | 18-08-2020 | |||||||
2020. Passed without Amendment. (Act No. XXIV of | |||||||||
2020). | |||||||||
6. | The Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, | 19-08-2020 | |||||||
2020. Passed as Amended by the House. (Act No. | |||||||||
XXVI of 2020). | |||||||||
7. | The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 19-08-2020 | |||||||
Passed as Amended by the House. (Act No. XXVII of | |||||||||
2020). | |||||||||
8. | The Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 16-09-2020 | |||||||
Passed without Amendment. (Act No. XXVIII of | |||||||||
2020). |
Private Members’ Bills introduced in the Senate during PY 2020-21
Total 62 Private Members‟ Bills were introduced in the Senate during the Parliamentary Year 2020-2021. Senator wise detail of such Bills has been given below.
Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi
1. | The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Amendment) | 13-07-2020 |
Bill, 2020. | ||
2. | The Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry (Amendment) Bill, | 13-07-2020 |
2020. | ||
3. | The Islamabad Capital Territory Law Officers Bill, 2020. | 13-07-2020 |
4. | The Press Council of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 13-07-2020 |
5. | The Islamabad Capital Territory Criminal Prosecution | 13-07-2020 |
Service (Constitution, Functions and Powers) Bill, 2020. | ||
6. | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of | 13-07-2020 |
Article 140). | ||
7. | TheIslamabadWildlife(Protection,Preservation, | 13-07-2020 |
Conservation and Management) (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||
8. | The Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 27-07-2020 |
9. | The Compulsory Teaching of Arabic Language Bill, 2020. | 17-08-2020 |
10. | The Protection against Harassment of Students in | 17-08-2020 |
Educational Institutions Bill, 2020. | ||
11. | The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 17-08-2020 |
12. | The Islamabad Capital Territory Watersides Safety Bill, | 24-08-2020 |
2020. | ||
13. | The Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Bill, | 24-08-2020 |
2020. | ||
14. | The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 24-08-2020 |
15. | The Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, | 26-10-2020 |
2020. | ||
16. | The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Insertion of | 26-10-2020 |
new Section 297A). | ||
17. | The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 26-10-2020 |
18. | The Fatal Accidents (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 26-10-2020 |
19. | The International Islamic University (Amendment) Bill, | 26-10-2020 |
2020. | ||
The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of | 26-10-2020 | |
20. | sections 376, 377 PPC, sections 265-M, 381, 411-A, | |
schedule II of Cr.P.C). | ||
21. | The Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 26-10-2020 |
22. | The Guardian and Wards (Amendment) Bill, 2021. | 25-01-2021 |
23. | The Public Complaints (Removal of Grievance) Bill, 2021. | 25-01-2021 |
24. | The Islamabad Educational Examinations (Prevention of | 25-01-2021 |
Unfair Means) Bill, 2021. | ||
25. | The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021 | 25-01-2021 |
(Amendment of Section 377A). | ||
26. | The West Pakistan Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, | 25-01-2021 |
2021. | ||
27. | The General Clauses (Amendment) Bill, 2021. | 25-01-2021 |
28. | The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2021 | 01-02-2021 |
(Amendment of Section 513 and 514) | ||
29. | The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021 | 01-02-2021 |
(Amendment of Section 489-F). | ||
30. | The Children (Pledging of Labour) (Amendment) Bill, 2021 | 01-02-2021 |
31. | The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2021 | 01-02-2021 |
32. | The Services Tribunal (Amendment) Bill, 2021 | 01-02-2021 |
Senator Faisal Javed | ||
1. | The Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 08-06-2020 |
2. | The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority | 08-06-2020 |
(Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||
3. | The Pakistan Environmental Protection (Amendment) Bill, | 08-06-2020 |
2020. | ||
4. | The National Commission on Rights of Child (Amendment) | 27-07-2020 |
Bill, 2020. | ||
5. | The Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, | 26-10-2020 |
2020. | ||
6. | The National Commission on Rights of Child (Amendment) | 27-07-2020 |
Bill, 2020. | ||
Senator Sirajul Haq | ||
1. | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Insertion of | 08-06-2020 |
new Article 25B). | ||
2. | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of | 26-10-2020 |
Article 93 and Third Schedule). | ||
3. | The Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery (Amendment) | 26-10-2020 |
Bill, 2020. | ||
4. | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020. (Amendment of | 26-10-2020 |
Article 213). | ||
5. | The Enforcement of Women‟s Property Rights (Amendment) | 26-10-2020 |
Bill, 2020. |
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed
1. | The Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 26-10-2020 |
2. | [The Islamabad Capital Territory Trust (Amendment) Bill, | 26-10-2020 |
2020. | ||
3. | The Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 26-10-2020 |
Senator Mian Raza Rabbani | ||
1. | The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2020 | 08-06-2020 |
(Omission of Section 124A). |
2. | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of | 08-06-2020 | |||
Article 89). | |||||
Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi | |||||
1. | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of | 20-07-2020 | |||
Article 100). | |||||
2. | The Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 20-07-2020 | |||
Senator Mohsin Aziz | |||||
1. | The Islamabad Rent Restriction (Amendment) Bill, 2021. | 25-01-2021 | |||
2. | The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2021. | 25-01-2021 | |||
Senator Kauda Babar | |||||
1. | The Federal Board of Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 27-07-2020 | |||
Senator Seemee Ezdi | |||||
1. | The Islamabad Women University Bill, 2021 | 25-01-2021 | |||
Senator Kauda Babar and Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi | |||||
1. | The Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2021. | 25-01-2021 | |||
Senator Samina Saeed and Senator Seemee Ezdi | |||||
1. | The Working Women (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2020. | 08-06-2020 | |||
Senator Sherry Rehman | |||||
1. | The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, | 27-07-2020 | |||
2020. | |||||
Senator Syed Muhammad Sabir Shah
1. | The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Amendment | 25-01-2021 | ||||
of Section 123B). | ||||||
Senator Prof. Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani | ||||||
1. | The Unani, Ayurveda and Homeopathic Practitioners | 6-01-2020 | ||||
(Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
Senators Sajjad Hussain Turi, Walid Iqbal, Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, | ||||||
Manzoor Ahmed and Mirza Muhammad Afridi | ||||||
1. | The Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, | 25-01-2021 | ||||
2021. |
Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi on his behalf and behalf of Senators Manzoor Ahmed, Kalsoom Perveen, Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Muhammad Akram, Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, , Naseebullah Bazai, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi, Abida Muhammad Azeem, Sajjad Hussain Turi, Hillal Ur Rehman, Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Gul Bashra, Mushtaq Ahmed and Muhammad Javed Abbasi
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of 13-07-2020 Article 73).
Senator Dr. Shahzad Waseem, Leader of the House and Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar Ul Haq, Leader of the Opposition
1. | The Senate Secretariat Services (Amendment) Bill, 2021. | 04-02-2021 |
Private Members’ Bills passed by the Senate during PY 2020-21
Total 16 Private Members‟ Bills were passed by the Senate during the Parliamentary Year 2020-2021. Senator-wise detail of such Bills has been given below.
Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi
1. | The Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 24-08-2020 | |||
2. | TheDrugRegulatoryAuthorityofPakistan | 26-10-2020 | |||
(Amendment) Bill, 2020. | |||||
3. | The Press Council of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 26-08-2020 | |||
4. | The Compulsory Teaching of Arabic Language Bill, 2021 | 01-02-2021 | |||
Senator Faisal Javed | |||||
1 | The Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 24-08-2020 | |||
2. | The Pakistan Environmental Protection (Amendment) | 25-01-2020 | |||
Bill, 2020. | |||||
Senator Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi | |||||
1. | The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | 08-06-2020 | |||
Senator Sajjad Hussain Turi | |||||
1. | The Islamabad Pure Food Authority Bill, 2020 | 08-06-2020 | |||
Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmad | |||||
1. | The Maintenance and Welfare of Old Parents and Senior | 08-06-2020 | |||
Citizens Bill, 2020. | |||||
2. | The Unani, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic Practitioners | 24-08-2020 | |||
(Amendment) Bill, 2020. | |||||
Senator Prof. Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani | |||||
1. | The Unani, Ayurvedic and Homoepathic Practitioners | 24-08-2020 | |||
(Amendment) Bill, 2020. | |||||
Senator Sassui Palijo | |||||
1. | The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services | 26-10-2020 | |||
(Amendment) Bill, 2020. | |||||
Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh | |||||
1. | The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 | 08-06-2020 | |||
Senator Samina Saeed | |||||
1. | The Dyslexia Special Measures Bill, 2020. | 13-07-2020 |
Senators Sajjad Hussain Turi, Ahmed Khan, Naseebullah Bazai, Sana Jamali, Manzoor Ahmed, Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini, Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Muhammad Akram, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Agha Shahzaib Durrani, Kalsoom Perveen, Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi, Abida Muhammad Azeem, Gul Bashra, Kauda Babar, Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar and Mir Muhammad Yousaf Badini
1. | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment | 20-07-2020 | |||||
of Article 106). | |||||||
Senator Dr. Shahzad Waseem, Leader of the House and Senator Raja | |||||||
Muhammad Zafar Ul Haq, Leader of the Opposition (01) | |||||||
1. | The Senate Secretariat Services (Amendment) Bill, 2021. | 04-02-2021 | |||||
- Private Members’ Bills referred for Joint Sitting
Following Private Members‟ Bills passed by the Senate but not passed by the other House within 90 days of its laying in that House or rejected by the House and referred to the Joint Sitting.
Sr. | Title of the Bill | Received on | ||||||
No. | ||||||||
1. | The Day Care Centres Bill, 2018, moved by Senator | 17-08-2020 | ||||||
Quratulain Marri | ||||||||
2. | The Regulation of Generation, Transmission and | 25-01-2021 | ||||||
Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Bill, 2019, | ||||||||
moved by Senator Syed Shibli Faraz) | ||||||||
3. | The Islamabad Compulsory Vaccination and Protection | 01-02-2021 | ||||||
of Health Workers Act 2020, moved by Senator Ayesha | ||||||||
Raza Farooq. |
Private Members’ Bills received from the National Assembly
Following 06 Private Members‟ Bills passed by the National Assembly were transmitted to the Senate during the Parliamentary Year 2020-21:
Sr. | Title of the Bill | Received on |
No. | ||
1.The Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill, 2020 | 15-09-2020 | |
(Mr. Faheem Khan, MNA) |
2 | The Islamabad Rent Restriction (Amendment) Bill, 2020 | 23-10-2020 |
(Mr. Ali Nawaz Awan, MNA) | ||
3 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety Bill, 2020 | 23-10-2020 |
(Mr. Ali Nawaz Awan, MNA) | ||
4 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal | 26-02-2021 |
Punishment Bill, 2021 | ||
(Ms. Mehnaz Akber Aziz, MNA) | ||
5 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Interest | 26-02-2021 |
on Private Loans Bill, 2021 | ||
(Mr. Muhammad Sana Ullah Khan Masti Khel , MNA) | ||
6 | The Al-Karam International Institute Bill, 2021 | 26-02-2021 |
(Syed Javed Hussnain, MNA) | ||
7 | The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2021 | 04-03-2021 |
(Mr. Sher Akbar Khan, MNA) | ||
8 | The Ibadat International University, Islamabad Bill, | 04-03-2021 |
2021 | ||
(Mr. Amjad Ali Khan, MNA) |
LAYING OF CONSTITUTIONAL / STATUTORY REPORTS
Rules 151 to 156 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012 requires laying before the Parliament the reports of Observance of Principles of Policy, Council of Common Interests, National Economic Council, National Finance Commission, Auditor General and Council of Islamic Ideology for discussion thereon by the Parliament and expressing of opinion of the Parliament, if any.
Statutory reports laid by the Executive on the Table
Sr. | Title of Report | Laid on | |||||||
No. | |||||||||
i. | The Annual Report, Post-Election Review, Report on | 05-06-2020 | |||||||
General Elections-2018 of the Election Commission of | |||||||||
Pakistan | |||||||||
ii. | The Annual Report of the Election Commission of | 10-06-2020 | |||||||
Pakistan for the year 2019. | |||||||||
iii. | Reports of 1st Biannual Monitoring on | 12-06-2020 | |||||||
the Implementation of NFC Award (July-December, | |||||||||
2018) and 2nd Biannual | |||||||||
Monitoring on the Implementation of NFC Award | |||||||||
(January-June, 2019). | |||||||||
iv. | The Annual Report of the Competition Commission of | 12-07-2018 | |||||||
Pakistan for the year, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. | |||||||||
v. | The annual Report of the National Economic Council | 17-07-2020 | |||||||
for the financial year 2018-2019 | |||||||||
vi. | The Second and Third Quarterly Report for the year | 13-08-2020 | |||||||
2019-2020 of the Board of Directors of the State | |||||||||
Bank of Pakistan. | |||||||||
vii. | The Annual Reports of the Council of Common | 16-10-2020 | |||||||
Interests (CCI) for the Financial Years 2017-18, | |||||||||
2018-19 and 2019-20 | |||||||||
viii. | The appropriation accounts for the Financial Year | 16-10-2020 | |||||||
2018-19 and regularity/special/study performance | |||||||||
audit reports of the Auditor General for the Audit Year | |||||||||
2019-20 | |||||||||
ix. | Annual Report 2019-20 of the Board of Directors of | 22-01-2020 | |||||||
State Bank of Pakistan‟s Economy Under Section 9A | |||||||||
(2) of the State Bank of Pakistan Act 1956. | |||||||||
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
Questions are the most effective and | empowered the Parliamentarians to hold | |||
widely used parliamentary tool throughout | the Cabinet answerable. Parliamentarians | |||
the parliamentary systems in the world to | make use of this Parliamentary tool to | |||
hold the Executive accountable before the | provide an input regarding the policies of | |||
Parliament. The Members of the Senate of | the Government or highlight some matter | |||
Pakistan have used this tool very | of public importance by quoting and | |||
effectively and to seek information from | keeping in view the situation on the | |||
the Executive on various issues of public | ground. Each day, except private | |||
importance. | Article91(6) | of | the | member’s day, first hour of the session is |
Constitution of Pakistan in the similar | dedicated to Questions. | |||
manner |
Ø Starred Questions
Questions are the most effective and empowered the Parliamentarians to hold
widely used parliamentary tool throughout the Cabinet answerable. Parliamentarians
the parliamentary systems in the world to make use of this Parliamentary tool to
hold the Executive accountable before the provide an input regarding the policies of
Parliament. The Members of the Senate of the Government or highlight some matter
Pakistan have used this tool very of public importance by quoting and
effectively and to seek information from keeping in view the situation on the
the Executive on various issues of public ground. Each day, except private
importance. Article91(6) of the member’s day, first hour of the session is
Constitution of Pakistan in the similar dedicated to Questions.
Starred Questions deal with an oral answer seven hundred and fifty two (752) were
by the concerned Minister on the floor of admitted, one hundred fifty nine (159)
the House whereas the Un-starred question were disallowed, one hundred seventy
deals with the written reply given by a (170) lapsed, two hundred fifty nine (259)
Minister of concerned Department/Ministry. were replied by the Minister of concerned
During this Parliamentary year the Senate division/department/ministry, twenty six
Secretariat received one thousand and (26) questions were referred to the
eighty one (1081) Starred questions out of concerned Senate Standing Committees for
which further consideration and report back to the House.
The statistical data is as under:- | ||
Received | : | 1081 |
Admitted | : | 752 |
Disallowed | : | 159 |
Lapsed | : | 170 |
Replied | : | 259 |
Referred to the Standing Committees | : | 26 |
Admitted but lapsed | : | 467 |
Un-Starred Questions
During this Parliamentary year the Senate received forty seven (47) Un-starred Questions out of thirty one (31) were admitted and twelve (12) were disallowed, four (04) were lapsed, twelve (12) were replied by the Minister of concerned division/department/ministry and nineteen (19) were admitted but lapsed.
The statistical data is as under:- | ||
Received | : | 47 |
Admitted | : | 31 |
Disallowed | : | 12 |
Lapsed | : | 04 |
Replied | : | 12 |
Admitted but Lapsed | : | 19 |
RESOLUTIONS
Resolutions passed by the Legislative bodies are a formal reflection of the will and the overall prevailing sense in that particular organ. It can be in a number of forms, ranging from a declaration of opinion, a recommendation, or a message, or commend, urge or request an action, or call attention to a matter or situation by the Government or in such other form as the Chairman may consider appropriate. A total of 188 Resolutions were received by the secretariat, 95 Resolutions from amongst those submitted were held as admissible, while 66 were held as inadmissible on technical grounds and 27 were lapsed. 31 Resolutions were passed by the House, whereas, 01 were dropped in the House due to absence of the Member concerned.
The statistical data is as under:- | ||
Received | : | 188 |
Admitted | : | 95 |
Disallowed | : | 66 |
Lapsed | : | 27 |
Passed by the House | : | 31 |
A/but withdrawn by the Member | : | 01 |
Referred to Standing Committee | : | 01 |
Admitted but lapsed | : | 62 |
Name of the Movers | Subject Matter | Date of | Action taken by the | |||||||||||||||||
Passing | Ministries / Division | |||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Zeeshan | Non-establishment of | 08-6-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||
Khanzada | Commission | on | the | |||||||||||||||||
Rights of Children. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Sirajul Haq | Celebration | of 15th | 08-6-2020 | Response waited | ||||||||||||||||
Day of Ramzan-ul- | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mubarak | as | Orphans | ||||||||||||||||||
Day | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Kauda Babar | Appointment | of | 08-6-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||
ambassadors | of | |||||||||||||||||||
Pakistan against 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||
quota | reserved | for | ||||||||||||||||||
non-career | ||||||||||||||||||||
diplomats. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Kauda Babar | Steps by the Federal | 08-6-2020 | Response awaited | |||||||||||||||||
Government | for | |||||||||||||||||||
installation | of | Solar | ||||||||||||||||||
and | Wind | Energy | ||||||||||||||||||
Projects | in | |||||||||||||||||||
Balochistan. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Kauda | Babar | Posting | of | Federal | 08-6-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||
and his own behalf and | Government | Officers | ||||||||||||||||||
on behalf | of | Senator | belonging | to | various | |||||||||||||||
Naseebullah Bazai | occupational groups. | |||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Muhammad | Condolence | over | the | 22-6-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||
Azam Khan Swati | sad | demise | of | |||||||||||||||||
noteable | religious | |||||||||||||||||||
scholars | Mufti | |||||||||||||||||||
Muhammad | Naeem | |||||||||||||||||||
and | Allams-a-Talib | |||||||||||||||||||
Jauhri | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Mushtaq | Regarding | writing | of | 24-6-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||
Ahmed | Khaatim-un-Nabyun | |||||||||||||||||||
with the name of the | ||||||||||||||||||||
Holy | Prophet | |||||||||||||||||||
Muhammad | (S.A.W) | |||||||||||||||||||
in the | educational | |||||||||||||||||||
syllabus | and | official | ||||||||||||||||||
documents. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Name of the Movers | Subject Matter | Date of | Action taken by the | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Passing | Ministries / Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Muhammad | Utilization | of funds | 13-7-2020 | Ministry | of | Finance | has | |||||||||||||||||
Javed Abbasi | allocated | for | various | informed | that | the | funding | ||||||||||||||||||
developmental | was | immediately | made | ||||||||||||||||||||||
projects | of | the | available | to | all | the | |||||||||||||||||||
Parliamentarians | the | concerned | Ministries | ||||||||||||||||||||||
treatment | and | /Divisions | /Authorities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
prevention of COVID- | /Executing | bodies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
19 pandemic. | Furthermore, | it | is | apprised | |||||||||||||||||||||
that the Prime responsibility | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
of utilization of the funds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
rests | with | the | relevant | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ministries | / | Divisions | / | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Authorities | / | Executing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Agencies, | as | such, | Finance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Division has no role in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
utilization of these funds. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Muhstaq | Improvement | in | 13-7-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ahmed | facilities | for | the | ||||||||||||||||||||||
stranded Pakistanis in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gulf Countries during | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
the | COVID-19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
pandemic. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Mohsin Aziz | Steps | for | Insurance | 13-7-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||||||
of major crops in the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
country | specially | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
wheat and cotton. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Mohsin Aziz | Paying | Tributes | to | 20-7-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||||||
Doctors | and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paramedical | Staff | for | |||||||||||||||||||||||
their | invaluable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
contribution | during | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
COVID-19 pandemic. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Mushahid | Condemning | the | 24-7-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hussain Sayed | imprisonment | of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Mohtarma | Aasiya | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andrabi | Sahiba, | the | |||||||||||||||||||||||
leader of Duktran-e- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Millat | is | illegally | |||||||||||||||||||||||
detained | in | Tihaar | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Jail | to | the | isolation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
punishment | ward | of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
the | Delhi | notorious | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Tihar Jail. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name of the Movers | Subject Matter | Date of | Action taken by the | |||||||||||||||||||||
Passing | Ministries / Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Mushtaq | Homage | to | the | 27-7-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||||
Ahmed | sacrifices | and | great | |||||||||||||||||||||
independence | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
struggles | of | Syed Ali | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shah Gilani. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Makhdoom | Shah | Completion | of | 365 | 05-08-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||||
Mehmood | Hussain | days of India‟s illegal | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Qureshi | and unilateral actions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Minister | for | Foreign | of 5th August, 2019, | |||||||||||||||||||||
in Indian | Occupied | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Affairs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kashmir. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Sitara Ayas on | Construction of Small | 17-8-2020 | Response awaited | |||||||||||||||||||||
her own behalf and on | rubber | Dams | in | |||||||||||||||||||||
behalf of other Senators | Islamabad | Capital | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Territory. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Mushtaq | Necessary | 17-8-2020 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ahmed | arrangements | for | ||||||||||||||||||||||
teaching | of | the | Holy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Quran | with | Urdu | ||||||||||||||||||||||
translation in all | the | |||||||||||||||||||||||
universities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Khushbakht | Arrangements | for | 17-8-2020 | Ministry | of | Federal | |||||||||||||||||
Shujat | First | Aid | and | Civil | Education and Professional | |||||||||||||||||||
Defence | Training | in | Training has | informed | that | |||||||||||||||||||
all | the | educational | under administrative control | |||||||||||||||||||||
institutions under the | of the Federal Government | |||||||||||||||||||||||
administrative control | and | all Federal | Chartered | |||||||||||||||||||||
of | the | Federal | Universities | (Public | and | |||||||||||||||||||
Government. | Private) for implementation, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
and | conducting | of | the | |||||||||||||||||||||
training | sessions | in | ||||||||||||||||||||||
coordination | with | Civil | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Defence Department. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Manzoor | Shifting | of | Large | 24-8-2020 | Response waited | ||||||||||||||||||
Ahmed | on | his own | Taxpayer Unit of FBR | |||||||||||||||||||||
behalf and on behalf of | from | Quetta | to | |||||||||||||||||||||
other Senators | Karachi | and | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Peshawar | to | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Islamabad. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name of the Movers | Subject Matter | Date of | Action taken by the | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Passing | Ministries / Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Samina Saeed | Establishment | of | 24-8-2020 | Ministry | of | Interior | has | ||||||||||||||||||
separate lock ups for | informed | that ICT | Police | ||||||||||||||||||||||
the | custody | of | under the direction of the | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Juveniles | in | Government | is | already | |||||||||||||||||||||
Islamabad | Capital | keeping | juvenile | offenders | |||||||||||||||||||||
Territory. | separate | from | adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||
criminals | in | police | station | ||||||||||||||||||||||
lock ups to avoid any | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
untoward | incident | and to | |||||||||||||||||||||||
protect the right of juveniles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
within the Federal Capital. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Khusbakht | Promotion of cultural | 24-8-2020 | Response awaited | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shujat | norms | and | social | ||||||||||||||||||||||
values of | our society | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
through | electronic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
media. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Shahzad | Condemning | the | 26-10-2020 | Ministry | of | Foreign | Affairs | |||||||||||||||||
Waseem, Leader of the | systematic pattern of | has | informed | that | the | ||||||||||||||||||||
House | Islamphobia | and | the | Ministry | called | Mr. | Marc | ||||||||||||||||||
latest | attempt | of | Barety, | Ambassador | of | ||||||||||||||||||||
illegal | and | France | in | Islamabad | and | ||||||||||||||||||||
Islamphobia | act | of | handed over a copy of the | ||||||||||||||||||||||
republication | of | Subject | Resolution | to | him | ||||||||||||||||||||
caricatures | of | the | on behalf of the Senate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Holy | Prophet | (peace | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Be | Upon | Him)in | |||||||||||||||||||||||
France. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Sherry Rehman | Solidarity | with | the | 26-10-2020 | Ministry | of | Foreign | Affairs | |||||||||||||||||
popular, | has | informed that Pakistan | |||||||||||||||||||||||
spontaneous, | has | categorically | rejected | ||||||||||||||||||||||
indigenous | and | India‟s | illegal and unilateral | ||||||||||||||||||||||
widespread | uprising | actions of 5th August, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
of | the | heroic | people | at all available international | |||||||||||||||||||||
of | Indian | Occupied | forums consistently. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Jammu | and | Kashmir | |||||||||||||||||||||||
and | terming | 27th | |||||||||||||||||||||||
October, | as | “Black | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Day”. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name of the Movers | Subject Matter | Date of | Action taken by the | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Passing | Ministries / Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Raja | Illegal | arrest | and | 05-01-2021 | The | Ministry | of | Foreign | ||||||||||||||||
Muhammad | Zafar-ul- | torture | of | Mohtaram | Affairs has informed that all | ||||||||||||||||||||
Haq, | Leader | of | Asiya | Andrabi, | Head | appropriate actions to raise | |||||||||||||||||||
Opposition | on | his | own | of | Dukhtaran-e- | the issue of Ms. Aasiya | |||||||||||||||||||
behalf and on behalf of | Millat, | in | Occupied | Andrabi | and her associates | ||||||||||||||||||||
the House | Kashmir and her two | on all relevant international | |||||||||||||||||||||||
colleagues | in | the | foras | including | the | United | |||||||||||||||||||
notorious Tihaar Jail. | Nations | and | also | shared | |||||||||||||||||||||
with the Office of the High | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commissioner | for | Human | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rights, which acts as the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Secretariat of | the | Human | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rights Council (HRC). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Raja | Immediately steps to | 18-01-2021 | Response awaited | |||||||||||||||||||||
Muhammad | Zafar-ul- | take issue of serious | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Haq, | Leader | of | the | plight | of Kashmiri | ||||||||||||||||||||
Opposition | on | his | own | freedom | fighter, | ||||||||||||||||||||
behalf and on behalf of | Yasin | Malik and | all | ||||||||||||||||||||||
the House | other | political | |||||||||||||||||||||||
prisoners | in | Indian | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Occupied Kashmir. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Mohsin Aziz | Control | the | 25-01-2021 | Response awaited | |||||||||||||||||||||
circulation | of | fake | |||||||||||||||||||||||
currency | notes | of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rs.1000 | and | 5000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
denomination | in | the | |||||||||||||||||||||||
country. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator Sirajul Haq | Condemning | the | 25-01-2021 | Response awaited | |||||||||||||||||||||
sacrilegious, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
misleading | and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
deceitful | information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
floated | on | search | |||||||||||||||||||||||
engines | of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
and | Wikipedia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
depicting | Mirza | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Masroor | as | the | |||||||||||||||||||||||
current | Caliph | of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Islamabad. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Baharamand | Government | should | 25-01-2021 | Response awaited | ||||||||||||||||||||
Khan Tangi | establish | drug | |||||||||||||||||||||||
rehabilitation | centers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
in every | district | of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
the country. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name of the Movers | Subject Matter | Date of | Action taken by the | ||||||||||||
Passing | Ministries / Division | ||||||||||||||
Senator Seemee Ezdi | Recommending | that | 25-01-2021 | Response awaited | |||||||||||
the | Government | to | |||||||||||||
save | the | educational | |||||||||||||
career | of | the | |||||||||||||
students in all | over | ||||||||||||||
the country. | |||||||||||||||
Senator Sirajul Haq | Establishment | of | a | 25-01-2021 | Response awaited | ||||||||||
border crossing point | |||||||||||||||
for public on Pak- | |||||||||||||||
Afghan border in the | |||||||||||||||
area | of | Kharakai, | |||||||||||||
shahi | Bin | Shahi | in | ||||||||||||
District Lower Dir. | |||||||||||||||
MOTIONS UNDER RULE 218
Rule 218 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of the Business in Senate, 2012 provides a tool to move a motion that policy or situation or statement or any other matter be taken into consideration. Motions under Rule 218 provide ample opportunity for members to raise policy and institutional issues and discuss them at length. Various issues were the subject matter of the motions under rule 218 in parliamentary year 2020-2021. Total three hundred and twenty seven (327) motions under rule 218 were received. Two hundred twenty three (223) were admitted and seventy four (74) were disallowed while thirty (30) lapsed. Fifteen (15) were discussed in the House and three (03) were dropped in the House.
The statistical data is as under:- | ||
Received | : | 327 |
Admitted | : | 223 |
Disallowed | : | 74 |
Lapsed | : | 30 |
Admitted but withdrawn by the Members | : | 05 |
Discussed in the House | : | 20 |
Dropped in the House | : | 03 |
Admitted but lapsed | : | 195 |
- Subject Matters of Motions U/R 218 discussed during PY 2020-21
- Political, administrative and economic reforms in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Share and projects of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Public Sector Development Programme.
- Non-establishment of Commission under the National Commission on the Rights of Child Act 2017.
- Provision of annual developmental budget of Rs.100 billion, by the Government to erstwhile FATA.
- Slow progress of industrialization and commercial activities in small provinces of the country.
- The issue of locust in the country and estimated loss Rs.600 billion loss to Pakistani economy.
- The role and effectiveness of the Competition Commission of Pakistan against Cartelization.
- Need for establishment of a Constitutional Court.
- Increase of circular debt beyond Rs.1660 billion.
- US-Taliban peace deal in Afghanistan.
- Lack of proactive role of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
- The present political situation in the country and its impacts on the country.
- World Health Organization‟s report on the rise of Polio cases in Pakistan.
- Overall performance of the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad.
- Telemetering system for distribution of water amongst the provinces and reasons for non-implementation of the same in the country.
- Human Rights violation and media trial committed by National Accountability Bureau in its victimization of trusted opposition workers.
- The rise in air pollution levels in Pakistan.
- One month per annum recession / lockdown plan for high carbon emitting industries in Pakistan.
- Foreign Policy of Pakistan.
- Recent unprovoked firing / shelling by the Indian forces on the Line of Control in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
ADJOURNMENT MOTIONS
During the Parliamentary year 2020-2021, the Secretariat received 46 adjournment Motions out of which 09 Adjournment Motions were admitted, but lapsed. However, 28 Adjournment Motions were held out of order as the same could not fulfil the criteria of admissibility laid down in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012. One Admitted Adjournment Motion was included in the Orders of the Day, however, discussion could not be made in the House. 9 Adjournment Motions were under process but lapsed on the prorogation of the Sessions. The Statistical data is as follows:-
Total received | 46 |
Disallowed | 28 |
Admitted but Lapsed | 09 |
Lapsed | 09 |
Discussed in the House | Nil |
CALLING ATTENTION NOTICES
This Parliamentary tool is used to draw attention of the Minister concerned by the members towards the matters of public importance. The Secretariat received 90 Calling Attention Notices during the Parliamentary year 2020-2021 on various issues, out of which 26 notices were found in order under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012. 13 Calling Attention Notices were disposed off after statements by the Ministers concerned. The Statistical data is as follows:-
Received | 90 |
Disallowed | 64 |
Admitted | 26 |
Admitted but Lapsed | 13 |
Statements made by the Ministers | 13 |
- CANs responded by the Ministers concerned in the house
Sr. | Statement made on | Subject matter | ||||||
No. | ||||||||
1. | 10th June, 2020. | Regarding the delay in construction of Pakistan | ||||||
Consulate in Zahidan city of Iran, which is causing | ||||||||
severe hardships to not only the population living along | ||||||||
the border but also the Pak-Iran traders who need | ||||||||
consular and visa services on regular basis. | ||||||||
Senator Dr. Shahzad Waseem, Leader of the | ||||||||
house made statement. | ||||||||
2. | 10th July, 2020. | Regarding the tragic incident of PIA plane crash at | ||||||
Karachi. | ||||||||
Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Minster for Aviation | ||||||||
Division made statement. | ||||||||
3. | 17th July, 2020. | Regarding the proposed plan of the government to | ||||||
curtail the retirement age of the government | ||||||||
employees from 60 to 55 years and depriving them | ||||||||
from their monthly pension. | ||||||||
Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of State for | ||||||||
Parliamentary Affairs made statement. | ||||||||
4. | 24th July, 2020. | Regarding the fact that the European Union Aviation | ||||||
Safety Agency amongst others has suspended the | ||||||||
operation of PIA flights to their respective | ||||||||
countries/region. | ||||||||
Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Minster for Aviation | ||||||||
Division made statement. |
Sr. | Statement made on | Subject matter | ||||||
No. | ||||||||
5. | 24th July, 2020. | Regarding increase of 10% in the prices of medicines | ||||||
by the government. | ||||||||
Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of State for | ||||||||
Parliamentary Affairs made statement. | ||||||||
(Referred to Committee) | ||||||||
6. | 16th October, 2020. | Regarding recent increase in the prices of medicines. | ||||||
Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of State for | ||||||||
Parliamentary Affairs made statement. | ||||||||
7. | 20th October, 2020. | Regarding sit-in by Pakistan Hindu Council agitating the | ||||||
murder of a migrated Pakistani Hindu family in | ||||||||
Jodhpur, India. | ||||||||
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi, | ||||||||
Minister for Foreign Affairs made statement. | ||||||||
8. | 20th October, 2020. | Regarding assigning of duties by the Prime Minister to | ||||||
the Tiger Force to control increase in prices which is an | ||||||||
encroachment to the power of Magistrates/Price | ||||||||
Control Committees. | ||||||||
Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of State for | ||||||||
Parliamentary Affairs made statement. | ||||||||
9. | 23rd October, 2020. | Regarding unregistered pharmacies and medical stores | ||||||
in the country being run without properly qualified and | ||||||||
Licensed pharmacists with particular reference to | ||||||||
dysfunctional status of the Pharmacy Council of | ||||||||
Pakistan since September, 2019. | ||||||||
Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of State for | ||||||||
Parliamentary Affairs made statement. | ||||||||
(Referred to Committee) | ||||||||
Report Presented on 29th January, 2021. | ||||||||
10. | 29th October, 2020. | Regarding China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority | ||||||
Ordinance, 2019 which is still holding the field. | ||||||||
Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, Minister for | ||||||||
Information and Broadcasting made statement. | ||||||||
11. | 26th January, 2021. | Regarding inactiveness of the Council of Islamic | ||||||
Ideology due to retirement of its Chairman and vacant | ||||||||
seats of Members of the Council, since 7th November, | ||||||||
2020. | ||||||||
Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of State for | ||||||||
Parliamentary Affairs made statement. | ||||||||
12. | 29th January, 2021. | Regarding the COVID-19 Vaccination plan of the | ||||||
Government to ensure early and equitable access to | ||||||||
the vaccine. | ||||||||
Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of State for | ||||||||
Parliamentary Affairs made statement. | ||||||||
(Referred to the Committee) | ||||||||
13. | 29th January, 2021. | Regarding the repatriation of two hundred teachers by | ||||||
the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), who were | ||||||||
on deputation under the wedlock policy of Government | ||||||||
of Pakistan. | ||||||||
Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of State for | ||||||||
Parliamentary Affairs made statement. |
PRIVILEGE MOTIONS
During the Parliamentary year 2020-2021, the Secretariat received 8 notices of Privilege Motions out of which 04 Motions were moved by the Members concerned which after determination of admissibility were held in order by the Chairman and referred to the Privileges Committee for consideration and report. 02 Motions have not so far been moved by the Members concerned in the House. The Statistical data is as follows:-
Total received | 08 | |||||||
Admitted and referred to the Privileges Committee | 04 | |||||||
Disallowed | 02 | |||||||
Admissibility is to be examined in the House | 02 | |||||||
Sl. No | Date | Subject | ||||||
1. | 2nd February, 2021 | Against the Secretary of Public Health Engineering | ||||||
Department, | KPK | regarding | ||||||
non-implementing the directions of the Senate | ||||||||
Standing Committee on SAFRON given during meeting | ||||||||
dated 21st September, 2020 on agenda item No. VI. | ||||||||
(Senators Hilal ur Rehman and Taj Muhammad Afridi) | ||||||||
Referred to the Committee on Rules of Procedure | ||||||||
and Privileges but lapsed. | ||||||||
2 | 20th October, 2020 | Against CDA for installing out-dated Mattress of Beds, | ||||||
Air- conditioner, Cooking Range in his residence at | ||||||||
Parliament Lodges. | ||||||||
(Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini) | ||||||||
Referred to the House Committee Report No. 14, | ||||||||
Presented in the House on 20.10.2020. | ||||||||
3 | 15th | September, | Regarding breach of privilege by the Secretary, | |||||
2020 | Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and | |||||||
Coordination. | ||||||||
(Senator Hidayat Ullah) | ||||||||
Referred to the Committee on Rules of Procedure | ||||||||
and Privileges for consideration and report. | ||||||||
Report No. 13, Presented in the House on | ||||||||
15.9.2020. | ||||||||
4 | 18th October, 2020 | Regarding Assistant Commissioner Islamabad who | ||||||
stopped him to enter the Islamabad High Court. | ||||||||
(Senator Musadik Masood Malik) | ||||||||
Referred to the Committee on Rules of Procedure | ||||||||
and Privileges for consideration and report. | ||||||||
Presented in the House on—— |
POINTS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE RAISED DURING ZERO HOUR
- Matters referred to the Committees for consideration and report
- Senators Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar spoke about Job Quota of Baluchistan which has been merged in Aghaz-Haqooq-e-Balochistan. Referred to
Implementation Committee.
- Senators Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar spoke about Locust Attack in Balochistan. Referred to Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Musadik Masood Malik spoke about Pandemic and increasing number of cases in country and failure of the Government. He also spoke about display of false map of Kashmir by PTV in which Azad Jammu Kashmir has been shown as part of India. Referred to Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif spoke about levying of more Federal Excise Duty on cigarettes of international brands and criminal negligence of FBR. He also spoke about implementation of concepts of virtual hospitals. Both the matters were referred to the Standing Committees concerned.
- Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi raised the issue of bogus domiciles certificates in Balochistan and adjusting the holders of original local domicile of the provinces against the posts vacated by the bogus domicile holders. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar pointed out the closure of PTV Bolan Channel. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini pointed out the problems being faced by the locals due to fencing on Pak-Afghan Border; Internet issues in the far-flung areas of Balochistan; and the scholarships issues being faced by the students of Balochistan. Matters were referred to the Standing Committees concerned.
- Senator Moula Bux Chandio pointed out the non-implementation of the recommendations of Senate Standing Committee on Power regarding Lakhra Power House; and the alleged Privatization of Kotli Power Plant. Referred to the
Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar pointed out the non-supply of electricity to the mines located in the Muslim Bagh area of District Qilla Saifullah, Balochistan; and non-allocation of funds for the Less Developed Areas, out of the grant received from the China for poverty elevation in these areas. Referred to the Standing Committees concerned.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed pointed out the lack of transparency in the recruitment process of Meter Readers and Linemen in PESCO; and inclusion of defamatory materials in the syllabus of Private Schools in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, regarding Pakhtoons particularly Bonairis. Referred both the issues to the
Standing Committees concerned.
- Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi pointed out the non-supply of Gas to Mastung, Qalat and other areas of Balochistan. Referred to the Standing
Committee concerned.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar pointed out the establishment of an Agricultural University in Ziarat, Balochistan. Referred to the Standing
Committee concerned.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed raised the issue regarding alleged role of Customs Department in facilitating the smuggling at Pak-Afghan Border. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh pointed out the banning of contents on You Tube in the country; and the problems being faced by the Overseas Pakistanis Labours. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned
- Senator Professor Sajid Mir pointed out the demolition of Mosques in Islamabad.
Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmad, pointed out the suicide committed by a person namely Mr. Qadeer and his family due to hunger in Narowal; and the incident of beating up of a mother by her son in Rawalpindi. Referred both the issues to the Functional Committee on Human Rights.
- Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh raised a point of public importance regarding problems being faced by the Call Centers in Karachi. Referred to the
Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi spoke about brutal killing of Anwar Kethran, Journalist from Barkhan, Balochistan. Referred to the Standing
Committee concerned.
- Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi spoke about various issues of Ex-FATA. He also spoke about closing of offices of shipping line at earlier hours. Referred to the
Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Pervez Rasheed spoke about the incident of stoning on rally of Marryam Nawaz by police when she was going to appear before NAB and use of toxic gases. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Sirajul Haq spoke about cracker attacks on rally of Jamat-e-Islami at Karachi causing serious injuries and death of a worker. Referred to the
Standing Committee concerned and report was also sought from the I.G Police Sindh.
- Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh spoke about Digital Parliamentarians Summit and requested all Parliamentarians to join the same. He also spoke about some issues of Toll and alignment of Karachi-Lahore Motorway. Referred to the
Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif spoke about distribution of scholarships by UET Khuzdar without observance of merit under Ehsas Program. He also spoke about unexpected results of A-Level. Referred to the Standing Committees
- Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed spoke about issuance of a notice by FBR to the Ambassador of Palestine which is sheer violation of Vienna Convention and diplomatic norms. Referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
- Senator Quratulain Marri spoke about some issues involved in the approval of National curriculum. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi spoke about sad demise of Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizinjo. He also spoke about import of onions and tomatoes from Iran. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi spoke about discrimination in deferment of loans under the Prime Minister‟s Youth Loan Project. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak spoke about subsidy granted to K. Electric. He further spoke about safety standard of cars being assembled in Pakistan. He also spoke about installation of solar tube wells in Balochistan and use of efficient technology to reduce electricity consumption. Matters referred to the Standing
Committees concerned.
- Senator Fida Muhammad pointed out that printing of Holy Quran is not up to the mark. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed spoke about resistance on the approval of reserved seats of erstwhile FATA and Balochistan by PMC. Referred to the
Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Sherry Rehman spoke about taking over of federal hospitals in Sindh by Federal Government. She also spoke about conduct of examination by PMC Board without consulting the concerned quarters. Referred to the
Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Kauda Babar spoke about provision of electricity projects to Makran Coastal Belt. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini spoke about closure of petrol and diesel trade across the border of Balochistan. Referred to the Standing Committee
- Senator Muhammad Ayub spoke about payment of dues to the people of Khyber District. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi spoke about installation of electricity meters in Charsada. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif spoke about growing trends of Blasphemy through internet. Referred to the Standing Committee
- Senator Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi highlighted some issues about PMC.
Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri spoke about provision of coverage for Opposition in local media. Referred to the Standing Committee
- Senator Mian Raza Rabbani spoke about the requirement of Article 157(2)
Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Behramand Khan Tangi spoke about employees working in Passport Office. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Matters referred to the Ministries/Divisions for report
- Senator Javed Abbasi spoke about stranded Pakistanis in Gulf countries who are in great problems. Referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
- Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, raised the issue of alleged death of Syed Ali Akbar Shah S/o Syed Gul Raza, resident of Kahrora, District Shangla in Police custody and demand of judicial inquiry of the incident by the legal heirs along with medical tests from a private laboratory. Detailed report was sought from the Office of the Inspector General of Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about the case.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed and Senator Momin Khan Afridi raised a matter regarding arrest and extra-judicial killing in police custody of one Mr. Irfanullah Afridi and Mr. Aamir Tehkaali. Detailed report was sought from the Office of the Inspector General of Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about the cases.
- Senator Hidayatullah raised a matter regarding arrest and extrajudicial killing in custody of of one Mr. Zahid Jan son of Niazmeen, a resident of Bajaur Agency who worked as a laborer in Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Detailed report was sought.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar raised a matter regarding illegal detention of two journalists namely Syed Ali Achakzai and Abdul Mateen for pointing out non-availability of water and lack of proper treatment in the Chaman Quarantine Centre. Detailed report was sought from Chief Secretary
Balochistan.
- Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi raised a matter regarding financial problems being faced by owners, administration, teachers and other staff of lower tier private schools due to closure of educational institutions in view of COVID-19 pandemic. Detailed report was sought from Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
- Muhammad Ali Khan, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, pointed out that name of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province should be written and pronounced completely instead of using the abbreviations of KP or KPK. He observed that the province got a proper name after 70 years and when names of other three provinces are written and pronounced completely, using abbreviations instead of complete name for the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was uncalled for. Mr.
Chairman directed that intimation be sent to all federal and provincial parliamentarians for writing and pronouncing complete name of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
- Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi pointed out the increase in the seats reserved for the students belonging to Balochistan in the Punjab University.
The Honourable Chairman Senate, asked the Senator that he will personally take up the issue for increase in the seats reserved for the students belonging to Balochistan in the Punjab University, with the Chief Minister and Governor Punjab.
- Senator Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti raised the issue regarding non-regularization of thirteen OGDCL Engineers belonging to the Province of Balochistan. The Honourable Chairman Senate asked the Secretary Senate to call the MD OGDCL and inquire the reasons regarding non-regularization of the Engineers.
- Senator Keshoo Bai raised a point of public importance regarding non-payment of salaries to the contract and daily wages employees of the Radio Pakistan. The Honourable Chairman Senate asked the Secretary Senate to seek report from the quarter concerned.
- Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafeeq Tareen raised a point of public importance regarding vacant seats reserved for the province of Balochistan in various medical colleges. The Honourable Chairman Senate asked the
Secretary Senate to seek report from the Ministry concerned.
- Senator Sherry Rehman raised a point of public importance pertaining to a Privilege Motion regarding contradictory statements by the Aviation Division officials in the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Aviation. The
Deputy Chairman asked the Minister for aviation to submit report.
- Senator Dilawar Khan Spoke about the deportation of doctors from various provinces working at PIMS. The Chairman directed to seek report from the
Secretary Health with the direction to withdraw the show cause notices issued to the doctors.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar spoke about dispute of land allocated for BUITEMS Campus. The Chairman directed to seek report from the Chief Secretary.
- Senator Kauda Babar spoke about suspension of Balochi News Channel
“WISH”. Senators Keshoo Bai and Sassui Palijo also spoke about suspension of
Sindhi Channel KTN. The Chairman directed to seek report from Secretary
Information.
- Senator Muhammad Ayub spoke about difficulties being faced by traders at Pak-Afghan Torkham borders. He also spoke about non-availability of Internet in the areas of ex-FATA. The Chairman directed to seek report from
Chairman PTA about non-availability of internet services in erstwhile FATA.
- Senator Muhammad Usman khan Kakar spoke about bad Law and Order situation in Balochistan. The chairman directed to seek report from Chief
Secretary.
- Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri spoke about incident of attack on MPA in Balochistan. Chair directed to seek report from Chief Secretary and IGP.
- Senator Atta Ur Rehamn spoke about the incident of desecration of Holy Quran by a Qadiani at D.G Khan village Jakhar. He further stated that police arrested the accused and also mounted baton charge on protestors. He also spoke about coming of Qadianis in limelight since this Government came into power. The Chairman directed to seek report from Chief Secretary Punjab and IGP.
- Senator Gianchand pointed out an incident of abduction of a Hindu girl from Tharparkar who was taken to Balochistan. He stated that the accused is
nominated in the FIR but Balochistan Police has not taken any action so far. The Chairman directed to seek report from IGsP Sindh and Balochistan.
- Senator Sassui Palijo spoke about the public gatherings of PDM and the efforts of the Federal Government to usurp the Islands of Sindh and Balochistan.
The Presiding Officer directed that the Ministers of Interior and Defence should come and brief the House about the internal and external security situation of the country at present.
- Senator Ata Ur Rehman drew attention of the House towards the issuance of voters‟ lists in for GB election which reflected names of 19 Qadianis in District Diamir whereas actually no Qadiani resides in District Diamir. He further drew attention of the House towards the incident of firing at Dera Ghazi Khan on one Dr. Muhammad Usman and his son who raises voice of his area on social media. The Member demanded that the incident needs to be inquired properly. The Chairman directed the Secretary to seek report from IGP Punjab.
- Senator Mir Kabir Ahmed Muhammad Shahi spoke about improper conduct of MDCAT Exams by PMC. The Chairman directed to Secretariat to seek report from Secretary National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar spoke about the death of Karima Baloch. He also spoke repatriation of female teachers in Islamabad under wedlock policy. The Chairman directed to seek report from Ministry concerned.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed spoke about the recruitment by various departments‟ through third party testing agencies i.e. NTS. The Chairman directed to seek report from Chief Secretary KPK.
- Matters disposed of in the House
- Senator Mian Raza Rabbani raised question in connection with the failure of present Government to restructure the loss making enterprises like Pakistan Still Mill.
- Senator Mohsin Aziz spoke about Pakistan Still Mills.
- Senator Sherry Rehman spoke about stranded Pakistanis who are not being taken care of by Government.
- Senator Hilal Ur Rehman spoke about Pandemic and the failure of Government to deal with problems of overseas Pakistani. He also spoke about the expensive air tickets being offered from Gulf countries.
- Senator Sirajul Haq spoke about Stranded Pakistanis Students and workers who are compelled to purchase expensive air tickets.
- Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini spoke about Corona virus and Locust attack.
- Senator Sassui Plijo spoke about Corona Virus and non-serious approach of Government to deal with pandemic.
- Senator Kauda Baber spoke about two sad incidents in Baluchistan one in Turbat and second in Hazara Town. He also spoke about less release of funds allocated for PSDP in Balochistan.
- Senator Kauda Babar spoke about unbecoming attitude of Chairperson of FBR.
- Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar spoke about provision of PCR-Testing machines to Balochistan.
- Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar spoke about grievance of the education sector during the Pandemic COVID-19.
- Senator Sitara Ayaz spoke about BISP and Ehsass Program.
- Senator Waleed Iqbal spoke about the incident of brutal killing of an eight years old girl Zehra Shah.
- Senator Sassui Palijo spoke regarding case of bogus domiciles and PSDP schemes related to Sindh.
- Senator Naseeb Ullah Bazai spoke about Locust attack in Balochistan.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed spoke about shortage of Petrol in KPK.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar spoke about Problems being faced by the people of Balochistan at Chaman Gateway.
- Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi spoke about letters written to DCs from different departments for confirmation of domiciles and non-availability of internet services and reinstatement of internet services in some areas.
- Senator Mian Muhammad Atteq Shaikh spoke about shortage of Petrol in country.
- Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq raised the issue that hard copies of the documents pertaining to the Budget 2020-21 laid in the House and the soft version available on the Finance Division website were different.
- Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi, raised the issue of absence of the Members belonging to the Treasury Benches particularly the Ministers in the House during discussion on the Finance Bill, 2020.
- Senator Hilal Ur Rehman, raised the issue regarding problems being faced by the Overseas Pakistanis particularly in the Middle East and Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, raised the issue pertaining to recommendations of the House regarding development programmes of the less developed areas and their non-inclusion in the PSDP.
- Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi raised the following points of public importance regarding the proposed plan of the Government to curtail the retirement age and depriving the Government employees from their monthly pension.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar pointed out the issuance of bogus domiciles certificates in Balochistan.
- Senator Zeeshan Khanzada raised the issue regarding economic problems being faced by the Tourism Industry in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and demanded to open the same to overcome the problems of the people dependent on the said Industry.
- Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh raised the electricity load shedding, overbilling and other issues relating to KESC.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed raised the issues regarding opening of Private Schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in the wake of flattening of Corona graph and non-issuance of CNICs to the people of Ghoga Khail Tribe.
- Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan pointed out the need for increase in salaries of the Government employees; and slow pace of work on CPEC projects.
- Senators Mian Raza Rabbani and Sherry Rehman pointed out the issue of fake licenses of PIA pilots; escape of Ehsan Ullah Ehsan, former spokesman of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from the custody; threats being received to the Leadership of Pakistan Peoples‟ Party Parliamentarians; privatization of Roosevelt Hotel; and European Union‟s report on Aviation Safety.
- Senator Zeeshan Khanzada raised the issue of construction of dams in the country and emphasized on a plan that no future Government may discontinue the funding so that the same are constructed timely.
- Senator Sherry Rehman and Mian Raza Rabbani pointed out the moving of Privilege Motion against the Minister and the Ministry of Civil Aviation; and dual Nationality of the Advisers and Special Assistants to the Prime Minister.
- Senator Kamran Michael raised the issue regarding alleged killing of Christian man namely Nadeem Joseph in Peshawar.
- Senator Muhammad Akram raised the issue of ethnic and racial discriminations.
- Senator Muhammad Akram raised a matter of public importance regarding incident of demolition of ancient Buddha Statue in Mardan.
- Senator Kalsoom Perveen raised the issue of defamation complain on the social media against her family members.
- Senator Sirajul Haq raised the issue to celebrate 5th August as a Day of condemnation in the country with reference to Indian atrocities in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
- Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi pointed out the current economic situation in the country; and formation of Committee of the Whole to discuss the accountability law in the light of the current judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the matter.
- Senator Mian Raza Rabbani raised the issue regarding formation of a Unified Accountability Commission.
- Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan pointed out current situation in Kashmir and the role of PTV in highlight the Kashmir issue; dual Nationality of the Advisers and Special Assistants to the Prime Minister; and kidnaping of Mr. Matiullah Jan, Journalist, from Islamabad.
- Senator Dilawar Khan raised the issue regarding non-posting of the Federal Analyst in the National Control Laboratory.
- Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi raised the issue regarding non-payment of pension to PTCL employees.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar pointed out the establishment of Livestock and Veterinary University in Musa Khail, Balochistan; non-implementation of the recommendations of the Committees and the House by the Ministries/Divisions and their attached Departments; abduction of journalists and
others from Islamabad; and non-supply of Electricity in Kakar Khurasan, particularly for agricultural purpose.
- Senator Molvi Faiz Muhammad raised a point of public importance regarding missing persons from Balochistan.
- Senator Anwar Lal Dean raised a point of public importance regarding arrest of Dr. Dinsha from Sindh and shifting him to Islamabad.
- Senator Aurangzeb Khan raised a point of public importance regarding measures taken by the government to curb the use of Ice (Drugs) in Educational Institutions of the country particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
- Senator Kalsoom Perveen pointed out the operation of only two flights from Quetta to Islamabad and requested for extension in time period for use of the PIA Tickets issued the Members.
- Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan pointed out the issuance of fake licenses to PIA pilots; and extra-charging of fares from the Students coming back to the country from China.
- Senator Gianchand raised a point of public importance regarding discrimination and insecurity being felt by the Parsi Community.
- Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed raised the issue regarding shifting of Kashmiri freedom fighter Asiya Andrabi to isolation and punishment ward of Tehar Jail.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar raised the issue regarding taking of illegal money from mine owners by the FC personnel in Balochistan.
- Senator Muhammad Akram raised the issues regarding unemployment and lack of opportunities in Balochistan.
- Senator Muhammad Akram spoke about issues being faced by the print and electronic media and non-availability of flights for Turbat.
- Senator Rubina Khalid spoke about unchecked availability of spurious drugs and sedatives in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Senator Prof. Dr. Mehar Taj Roghani spoke about the need to expedite the process of scrutiny of licenses of PIA Pilots.
- Senator Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi spoke about discrimination in deferment of loans under the PMs Youth Loan Scheme.
- Senator Lt. Gen (R) Salahuddin Trimizi spoke about various issues raised by him regarding new Balakot city and other problems of his area during his tenure as Senator but the same are still unresolved despite clear directions from the House and the Committees. He expressed discontentment over his failure as Senator to resolve the issues of his area.
- Senator Gianchand spoke about load shedding of electricity in Tharparkar.
- Senator Mohsin Aziz spoke about decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan due to proactive approach of the Government.
- Senator Samina Saeed spoke about compensation to the affectees of Tarbela Dam.
- Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq spoke about non-payment of compensation of the affectees of Balakot. She also spoke about resignation of advisor on health amid COVID crisis.
- Senator Sirjul Haq spoke about construction of Shandur-Dir-Chakdara alternative route under CEPC. He also spoke about extreme load shedding and Kotri Power House.
- Senator Kalsoom Parveen spoke about issue of doctors and paramedical staff from Balochistan working at PIMS.
- Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan criticised various Government policies.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed drew attention of the House towards exclusion of Dir-Chitral Motorway from PSDP.
- Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi pointed out the non-appointment of Registrars and VCs in many Universities.
- Senators Syed Sabir Shah and Rubina Khalid pointed out the spread of narcotics in the country especially amongst youth.
- Senator Mian Raza Rabbani spoke about statement of Attorney General before Supreme Court regarding the constitutional options under consideration of the Government about administration of Karachi. He demanded that Attorney General should come to House and explain his statement.
- Senator Sassui Palijo spoke about victimization of Political Leadership. She also spoke about statement of Attorney General about Karachi.
- Senator Sherry Rehman spoke about statement of Attorney General. She also spoke about recent diplomatic rift between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and a major policy shift in Pakistan‟s relation with Saudi Arabia.
- Senator Rehman Malik urged to remember brothers/sisters of IOK while celebrating independence. He also spoke about apprehension about governing structure of Karachi. He urged National cohesion which is need of the hour.
- Senator Manzoor Ahmad Kakar spoke about statement of Attorney General. He urged that the issues of general public should also be raised with that much force with which the Party Leaders are defending their respective party heads.
- Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati spoke about the successful policies of the current Government in the time of crisis.
- Senator Moula Bux Chandio spoke about Government plans about Sindh and Karachi.
- Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri spoke about the legislation on external pressure.
- Senator Sherry Rehman spoke about the summoning of Asif Ali Zardari by NAB Court and blocking of roads by ICT administration to prevent the Lawyers and Party Leaders to reach court.
- Senator Tahir Bizenjo spoke about killing of Hayat Baloch in Balochistan a University student in Turbat kech at the hands of FC soldier.
- Senator Molvi Faiz Muhammad spoke about desecration of Holy Quran in a village “Jakhar”. He also spoke about attack on Mr. Zabid MPA from Balochistan. He also spoke about devastation caused by rain fall in Balochistan and demanded that special relief may be given to devastated areas of Balochistan. He also spoke about Pakistan-Saudi relations which has a long history.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmad spoke about increasing tendency of incidents of blasphemy. He also spoke about killing of Hayat Baloch a student of Karachi University at the hands of FC.
- Senator Sirajul Haq spoke about closing of schools in Malakand division since January and non-payment of salaries to private school teachers.
- Senator Atta Ur Rehman spoke about Legislation under International Pressure.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmad spoke about passage of 12 FATF Bills in haste.
- Senator Prof. Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani spoke about the need of reinstatement of pilots cleared from investigation.
- Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan spoke about demolishing of camp of PML (N) at Mazar-e-Quid on 14th August by police. He also spoke about false claims by Government Ministers‟.
- Senator Hidayat Ullah spoke about the Senate Implementation Committee and the implementation on recommendation under rule 196. He was of the opinion that the Senate should ensure implementation of its recommendations.
- Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri spoke about extra judicial killing of an innocent student Hayat Baloch by FC. He also spoke about controlling of affairs by LEAs in Balochistan. He also explained some historical background of Balochistan.
- Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim spoke about killing of Hayat Balcoh. He also spoke about statement of Foreign Minister which created a rift in Pak-Saudi relations.
- Senator Kalsoom Parveen spoke about closing of Mobile networks from Friday to Sunday during Ashoora. She was of the view that closing of network will cause more problems especially when there is rain emergency throughout the country.
- Senator Mian Raza Rabbani stated that Pakistan has converted in National Security state and foreign policy is not in control of Foreign Office rather it is also being prepared by Security agencies; Foreign policy, economy, energy and environment have also been taken in the domain of National Security; State is failing in providing basic needs of life to its citizens which may lead to defiance by common man. He recommended intra Institutional Dialogue which is needed and
Parliament should take the lead to initiate this dialogue. Minister of Law & Justice responded.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmad spoke about interview of Former M.D Punjab Text Book Board who disclosed that 800 books being taught in Private schools were reviewed out of which 100 were banned due to wrong translation of Quran, historical distortions and blasphemes material. He further said that 9500 books are still pending review. He also spoke about Load shedding of electricity in KPK when KPK is main producer of hydroelectricity. He also spoke about bad condition of Karachi due to rainfall and urban flooding. Chair said all Federating Units should come forward to help Karachi in this crisis moment.
- Senator Sassui Palijo spoke about Karachi and need of more efforts from NDMA.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar spoke about kidnapping of a lady advocate from her office in Haveli Lakha Okara. He also spoke about illegal detention of Mir Shakeel Ur Rehman.
- Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan spoke about political victimization of Opposition leaders and performance of the Government.
- Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed spoke about Karachi and need of more efforts from Administration. He also spoke about inclusion of the name of Zaheer Abbas in the Hall of Fame by ICC which is a pride for the country.
- Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini spoke about problems being faced by the people of the area due to closure of National Bank Branch in Sibi.
- Senator Manzoor Ahmed spoke about the role of Private Schools and the new wave of terrorist activities.
- Senator Faisal Javed spoke about equal standards and implementation of laws for every citizen.
- Senator Aurangzeb Khan spoke about compensation for construction in Khyber and Waziristan Districts.
- Senator Rukhsana Zuberi spoke about harassment of women at workplace.
- Senator Sherry Rehman spoke about sectarian killings.
- Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri spoke about sectarianism.
- Senator Musadik Malik spoke about incident of motorway rape case.
- Senator Pervaiz Rasheed spoke about increasing sense of insecurity among the media person.
- Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed spoke about airing of Indian Sports channel in
Pakistan despite PEMRA‟s complete ban on producing and broadcasting Indian content.
- Senator Faisal Javed spoke about proposed legislation for protection of Human Rights especially women and children.
- Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan spoke about summoning of Senate Session at the occasion of PDM public meeting in Gujranwala.
- Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri spoke about protest of Government servants for increase in their salaries.
- Senator Syed Shibli Fraz, Minister for Information and Broadcasting spoke about recent political scenario in the country.
- Senator Kalsoom Parveen spoke about intrusion in the room of Captain Safdar and his arrest in the midnight in Karachi.
- Senator Mian Raza Rabbani drew attention of the Chair and the House towards the violation of the Constitution by the Federal Government by not laying the Ordinances before the Parliament.
- Senator Dr. Asif Saeed Kirmani spoke about various issues like non-availability of medicines in Government Hospitals; behaviour of Prime Minister during his address to Tiger Force; statement of Minister of Interior about threats to the Opposition leaders of PDM.
- Senator Muhammad Akram drew attention of the House towards various issues like; the protests of Fishermen in Gwadar and Jewani; lack of electricity and internet services in various areas of Balochistan causing problems to students; the alleged usurpation of Islands of Balochistan and Sindh by Federal Government and discontinuation of scholarships of the students of Balochistan.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed spoke about various issues like an incident of stampede outside the Pakistan Consulate in Jalalabad Afghanistan which resulted in death of 15 people; urged the Government to enhance visa facilities for Afghans in Pakistan Embassy in Afghanistan and its Consulates; also spoke about the issue of Islands of Balochistan and Sindh.
- Senator Sherry Rehman pointed out the tragic incident of killing of 11 coal mine workers in Mach Balochistan at the hands of terrorists and urged that the Government should brief the House about the steps taken for the relief of their families and for the apprehension of the culprits and what measures have been taken to avoid such incidents in future. She also condemned the incident of killing of a young boy in Islamabad by the Police and demanded its free and fair inquiry.
- Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Sheikh drew attention of the House towards a protest being made by the transgender community at D-Chowk protesting the incident of torture of a member of their community at Rawalpindi and suchlike overall incidents in the country.
- Senator Mian Raza Rabbani drew attention of the House towards the countrywide power breakdown on Saturday night which has raised serious questions on the efficiency of power sector. He criticized the Government for not constituting any high power enquiry committee to probe into the breakdown. He demanded that the matter may be referred to the Standing Committee of the Senate on Power for parliamentary enquiry of the matter.
- Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Sheikh drew attention of the House towards the closure of PIA flights to China due to fake COVID test reports.
- Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi drew attention of the House towards the procurement of COVID Vaccine and seizure of a PIA plane in Malaysia.
- Senator Dr. Jehanzaib Jamaldini spoke about unacceptability of air ticket vouchers by International Airlines provided by the Senate. He further spoke about non-existence of telecom towers in peripheral area of District Noshki.
- Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar spoke about Law and Order situation in Balochistan.
- Senator Aurangzeb Khan spoke about deteriorating law and order situation in erstwhile FATA and Balochistan.
- Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi spoke about recommendation of the House for provision of Gas in Hilly areas.
- Senator Rubina Khalid spoke about various issues emerging after the constitution of PMC.
- Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini spoke about funeral and burial of late Karima Baloch.
- Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi spoke about payment of pensioners of PTCL.
- Senator Aurangzeb Khan spoke about provision of internet facilities in erstwhile FATA and non-compliance of merit for recruitment in Forest Department.
- Senator Fida Muhammad spoke about proper mechanism of disposal of Quranic verses published.
- Senator Muhammad Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar spoke about the death of Karima Baloch.
- Senator Mushtaq Ahmed spoke about reactivation of Senate Committee to resolve grievances of people from Balochistan.
- Senator Khushbakht Shujaat spoke about online classes and absence of required gadgets among children.
- Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi pointed out the longstanding demand of six million people of Hazara Province.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE OF SENATE COMMITTEES
Senate committees are one of the most successful aspects of the Senate of Pakistan, where Senators of all political affiliations gather to analyse and investigate issues of public policy and governance, hold thread bearing discussions and propose legislative and non-legislative inputs on the issues of public importance; all this, remaining above the party-lines. The majority of the House Business is dealt-with by the Committees, because many of the Parliamentary tools, such as Legislations, Questions, Motions, Resolutions, Call Attention Notices and Points of Public Importance raised in the House, eventually end up in Committees. The recommendations of the Senate Committees not only provide ways forward for the concerned Ministries and executive functionaries but also are a source of framing policy guidelines for the government.
Senate Committees are basically an extension of the House and much of the business of the house is handled by them. Rule 158 (2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, provides that “ each Committee shall deal with subject assigned to the Ministry with which it is concerned, or any other relevant matter referred to it by the Senate.” Major functions of the Committees include examination of a Bill, subject or matter referred by the House or Chairman Senate. A Committee may examine on suo-moto; the budgetary allocation and its utilization, administration, delegated legislation, public petition and policies of the Ministry concerned and its attached corporations and public bodies. Committees assist the House in Legislation, Representation, accountability of the Executive, scrutinizing Policies and providing Public Policy Guidelines to the Government.
In a Committee, the matter is deliberated upon at length, views are expressed freely above party lines, and the subject matter is considered in depth. The public is directly or indirectly associated with the Committee proceedings. Public hearings are conducted by the Committees in order to invite inputs from all relevant stakeholders of the community. Committees are also entitled to receive evidence which helps the Committees in reaching conclusive and meaningful decisions in the matters before them. Senate Committees normally hold numerous meetings every year in order to look into the matters referred, however, this year has remained very different from the past as the Coronavirus pandemic has impacted how Parliaments across the world operate. The current global health crisis is an unprecedented wake-up call that is showing us how crucial it is for countries to have policies and legislation ensuring crisis preparedness and prevention. The socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are uncovering stark asymmetries and structural imbalances in our societies, such as the prevalence of poverty, unequal access to health services, weak health-care systems, persistent inequalities, and weak regional and global cooperation.
As countries are now resetting their priorities and reallocating resources to deal with the pandemic, parliaments should be in a position to influence policies and budgets to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic responses and recovery strategies embrace and incorporate the long term development framework in its entirety. Parliaments should also monitor policy implementation and ensure that the needs and concerns of the whole of society are given due consideration, with no one left behind.
Realizing the need of policy reforms; Senate Committees agreed to adopt a unique approach to formulate an integrated strategy to deal with such situation. The pandemic severely affected the holding of Committee meetings for a large number of periods during this Parliamentary year. However whenever the opportunity arise and circumstances were endurable, Senate Committees held their meetings with defined SoPs. These SoPs are given below for information of all.
- SoPs devised for Committee meetings in view of Pandemic
- No individual will be allowed to accompany the respected Senators into the Parliament House.
- Only one person will be allowed to accompany the Ministers / Minister of State.
- Only two officers, not below BS-20, from Ministries/ Divisions invited to the meeting, shall attend the meeting.
- All respected Senators and every other individual entering the Parliament House will go through thermal-gun screening.
- Parliamentary Reporters Association will shortlist five (5)journalist / reporters for into the Committee room in view of limited space.
- All respected Senators and other attendees will use face mask, gloves and sanitizer during the meeting.
- Success Stories of Senate Committees:
- During the Parliamentary year 2020-21, the Committees of the Senate of Pakistan made a number of decisions and recommendations which have had major impacts on Government policies. Some of the milestones achieved in this regard are summarized as under:
- Introduction of pick-up service by Pakistan Post in Quetta
On recommendation of the Senate Standing Committee on Communications; Pakistan Post introduced the pick-up Service by Express Post in Quetta, Baluchistan, which was earlier not introduced in Quetta owing to small city area and lack of demand for the said service.
- Advertisement campaign on Public Service Messages
On recommendation of the Senate Standing Committee on Information & Broadcasting; the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting ran a special aggressive advertisement campaign with special emphasis on Public Service Messages such as harassment and abuse of women and children.
- Payment of salaries and arrears to Media Workers
Senate Standing Committee on Information & Broadcasting took up the issue of delay in payments of salaries and arrears to media workers, held extensive debates on the subject and issued firm directions to the Ministry and Department responsible to rectify the situation on immediate basis.
- Establishment of Transit Trade Directorate at Gwadar
On the recommendation of Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs; the arrangements for early establishment of Transit Trade Directorate at Gwadar have been initiated.
- Protection against Harassment of Students in Educational Institutions Bill, 2020
Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education & Professional Training in a landmark stride passed the one of its kind Bill on the Protection of Students in Educational Institutions against Harassment.
- Disciplinary action against an officer deputed to PIA
Senate Standing Committee on Aviation took the issue of harassment allegations by a lady officer of PIA against a senior officer on deputation to PIA and directed that said officer be surrendered to his parent department with the intimation and assurance of initiating disciplinary proceedings under the rules against him.
- Payment of compensation to the claimant families of victims of fire in
Rawalpindi-bound Tezgam Express near Liaqatpur, Punjab and identification of dead bodies via Forensics
Senate Standing Committee on Railways took the issue of delay in payment to the claimants‟ families of the said tragic incident wherein more than seventy people died. On the continuous follow-up of the Committee in various meetings, the families were paid the compensation in time. Also on the direction of Committee; Railways authorities took the expert opinion from Punjab Forensic Science Agency in order to make DNA tests available for around ten (10) un-identifiable dead bodies.
- Policy Guidelines to the Government:
The Senate Standing Committee on Defence Production presented a policy guideline to the Government that commercialization of indigenous products should be given priority to not only earn much needed foreign exchange but also to reinforce bilateral ties with friendly countries. This would need excessive marketing, reasonable prices and qualitative edge over the products of the competitors. Further, the Committee recommended that Defence Production Establishments should evolve realistic casting systems and curtail unnecessary manpower and logistics burdens to ensure rationalisation of prices and competitiveness in the International markets.
The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication analysed the problems faced by a number of students taking online classes on the hands of HEC due to lack of funds available for necessary arrangements for imparting online classes due to COVID-19 pandamic. The Committee gave the policy guideline to Government that funding to HEC be increased and demand on 103 billion be met on priority basis in order to facilitate the thousands of research students in the country.
The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony advised the Government of Pakistan to further reduce the Airfare for Hajj up to Rs. 100,000/- so that the Hajj package may be minimized and made to be in financial access of a large number of population.
The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology strongly recommended that Government must formulate a multi-pronged strategy to fight drug trafficking and particularly stop drug smuggling at borders and dry up its recourses. In this regard, a proposal was given to engage the students in educational institutions and encourage them to identify drug addicts among them for their social inclusion and safety.
The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology advised the Government to hold the regular meetings of National Commission of Science & Technology (NCST) and its Executive Committee. The forum, headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan is of utmost importance for taking initiatives in the fields of Science in the country and must be utilized to its full potential.
The Senate Standing Committee on Aviation took up the issue of national importance pertaining to examine the dismissal cases of PIA employees with reference to victimization and discriminatory treatment by PIA management in the wake of issue of fake degrees of Pilots and other staff. The Committee held thread bearing discussions on the issue and advised the Government to identify and take action against the employees of PIA possessing fake degrees, and only responsible employees should be held accountable others must not be malign as it not only affects an individual‟s reputation in the careers but extends to his / her family as well.
In order to enhance the trade related initiatives in the country, Senate Standing Committee on Commerce advised the Government that board meetings of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) should be convened on regular basis.
Further, it was recommended that Pakistan‟s GIS should be geo-tagged, so that buyers can pinpoint the exact location of origin of GI on Google Maps.
- Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights urged the Government that PEMRA should consider to decrease the hefty fee on the channels in wake of the rising competition. Further, it was advised that Government is already regulating the cyber content through PTA and PECA therefore PEMA should refrain from infringement into their domain.
Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights advised the Government that an “Educational / Student Package‟ is the need of the House and that Government should prioritize it.
Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas recommended that Government should re-consider its policy in Benazir Income Support Program and move towards taking steps for self-sustainability of beneficiaries by helping them starting up small businesses.
Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services Regulation and Coordination advice the Government that open competition should be held every year for authorizing the private pharmacy in the public hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab for level playing field and an even competition.
- On recommendation of Senate Standing Committee on Communications, the Pakistan Post introduced the pick-up Service by Express Post in Quetta, Baluchistan; which was earlier not introduced in Quetta owing to small city area and lack of demand for the said service.
- Considering the importance of issues pertaining to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM); the Senate Standing Committee on Industries & Production requested the Prime Minister of Pakistan to pay special attention to the matter of no payment of all outstanding dues of PSM employees, workers and pensioners in terms of salaries and pensions. It was also suggested that if lump sum payment is not possible or cause heavy burden on the exchequer, the proposal of payments in instalments may be considered.
- Senate Standing Committee on Power
Senate Standing Committee on Power received more than 144 Public Petition on the issue of K- Electric regarding load shedding and Overbilling in various areas of Karachi. The Committee held thread-bearing discussions with all the stakeholders involved and directed CEO K-Electric to resolve the issues on immediate basis. As a result the electricity was restored in various problem areas including Hyderabad.
- Standing Committee on Petroleum
Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum took up the issue of public importance pertaining to provision of Gas to 150 houses in Juman Rajpar Taluka District Naushero Feroz and ensured the resolution of issue.
- Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination
Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination disposed of PP-3349 regarding Pakistan Medical Commission Act 2020, wherein the recommendation to give Hafiz-ul-Quran 5% to 10 % grace marks in all job interviews was given by the Committee.
- Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training
PP-3325: The 40 student‟s matter of HEC and PEC accreditation, Bahauddin Zakria University students were accommodated with accreditation on recommendation of the Committee.
- An Overview of Business referred to the Committees
- Status of Legislative Business (Bills) referred to Senate Committees:
Total | number of | Legislative | Legislative | Business | Legislative Business lapsed | ||
Business | referred | to the | disposed-of by the Senate | ||||
Senate Committees | Committees | ||||||
75 | 58 | 17 | |||||
· Status of Calling Attention Notices referred to Senate Committees: | |||||||
Total | number | of | Calling | Calling Attention | Notices | Calling Attention Notices | |
Attention | Notices | referred | disposed-of by the Senate | lapsed | |||
to Senate Committees | Committees | ||||||
03 | 02 | 01 | |||||
· Status of Points of Public Importance referred to Senate Committees: | |||||||
Total number of Points of | Points of Public Importance | Points of Public Points of | |||||
Public | Importance | referred | disposed-of by the Senate | Public Importance lapsed | |||
to the Senate Committees | Committees | ||||||
78 | 52 | 26 |
- Status of matters referred by the Chairman Senate to Senate Committees:
Total number of matters | Number of matters referred | Matters referred by the | ||||
referred by the Chairman | by the Chairman Senate | Chairman Senate lapsed | ||||
Senate to Senate | disposed-of by the Senate | |||||
Committees | Committees | |||||
18 | 13 | 05 | ||||
· Status of Questions referred to Senate Committees: | ||||||
Total number of | Questions | Number | of | questions | Questions lapsed | |
referred | to | Senate | disposed-of by the Senate | |||
Committees | Committees | |||||
26 | 21 | 05 |
- Record of meetings held:
The number of Committee meetings held on a certain issue plays a major role in pursuing the issue at length and ensuring its effective resolution as per the recommendations / directions of the Committee. Senate Committees could not hold frequent Committee meetings during the Parliamentary year 2020-21 due to pandemic. The record of meetings of each Standing Committee held during the year is presented below:
Number of meetings held & Reports presented by Standing Committees during the Parliamentary year 2020-21. Total Number of meetings of Standing Committees = 198
Committee | Aviation | Cabinet | Climate | Commerce | Communications | Defence | Defence | |
Secretariat | Change | and Textile | Production | |||||
Meetings | 07 | 07 | 06 | 04 | 06 | 03 | 06 |
Reports | 02 | 09 | 02 | 02 | 01 | 00 | 00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal Education, | Finance, | Housing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Professional | Revenue and | Foreign | Industries & | Information & | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Committee | and | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Training & Literary | Economic | Affairs | Production | Broadcasting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Works | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Heritage | Affairs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Meetings | 04 | 10 | 03 | 03 | 04 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reports | 18 | 16 | 02 | 00 | 00 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Information | Interior | Kashmir Affairs | Law & | Maritime | Narcotics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Committee | & Gilgit- | IPC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technology | Justice | Affairs | Control | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baltistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Meetings | 08 | 10 | 03 | 01 | 08 | 04 | 05 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reports | 04 | 19 | 00 | 01 | 21 | 02 | 00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overseas | Planning, | Poverty | National | |||||
Par. | alleviation | Food | ||||||
Committee | Pakistanis | Development | Petroleum | Power | ||||
Affairs | & Social | Security & | ||||||
and HRD | & Reform | |||||||
Safety | Research | |||||||
Meetings | 04 | 04 | 12 | 05 | 10 | 07 | 01 | |
Reports | 01 | 04 | 02 | 03 | 10 | 01 | 00 |
Religious | National Health | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Postal | Affairs & | Science and | States and | Water | Services | ||||||||||||||||||
Committee | Railways | Inter | Frontier | Regulations and | |||||||||||||||||||
Services | Technology | Resources | |||||||||||||||||||||
Faith | Regions | Coordination | |||||||||||||||||||||
Harmony | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Meetings | 00 | 05 | 02 | 05 | 12 | 05 | 09 | ||||||||||||||||
Reports | 00 | 03 | 05 | 00 | 03 | 05 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||
Number of meetings held & Reports presented by Functional Committees during the Parliamentary year 2020-21
Total Number of meetings of Functional Committees = 28
Committee | Devolution | Problems of Less | Human Rights | Government | ||||||||||
Developed Areas | Assurances | |||||||||||||
Meetings | 01 | 14 | 13 | 00 | ||||||||||
Reports | 00 | 02 | 15 | 00 |
Number of meetings held and reports presented of Special Committees during the Parliamentary year 2020-21
Total Number of meetings of Special Committees =16
Committee | Child | Promotion and | Law | CPEC | Implementatio | Examination of | ||||||||||||||
Protection | Development of | Reforms | n Committee | purported | ||||||||||||||||
Football in the | grievances | |||||||||||||||||||
Country | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meetings | 03 | 00 | 02 | 03 | 08 | 00 | ||||||||||||||
Reports | 02 | 00 | 01 | 03 | 03 | 00 |
Number of meetings held and reports presented of Other Committees during the Parliamentary year 2020-21. Total Number of meetings of Other Committees = 11
Committee | Delegated Legislation | Rules of Procedure & Privileges | ||||||
Meetings | 04 | 07 | ||||||
Report | 01 | 05 |
Number of meetings of Parliamentary Committees during the Parliamentary year 2020-21. Total Number of meetings of Other Committees = 07
Committee | protect minorities from forced conversions | ||||
Meetings | 07 | ||||
Reports | 02 |
Performance Summary of Senate Committees pertaining to Public Petitions referred:
Senate Committees take up major issues related to national and public importance. Public Petition is another tool of directly reaching out to Committees where, as per the Rules, the petitioner may be called upon by the Committee for personal hearing of the grievances. A citizen of Pakistan may send a petition to be considered that shall ultimately put issues on the Senate‟s agenda and facilitates in addressing issues of public importance relating to the Federal Government. In other words, it makes Senate accessible and gives a feeling of ownership of Parliament to the common man. Each Standing Committee deal with Public petitions of relevant subject matter that reflects in the major performance of the Committee.
Number of Public Petitions referred:
During the Parliamentary year 2020-21, a total of 526 public petitions were received in the PPT. After approval by the Chairman Senate on admissibility, 184 petitions were referred to Senate Committees. Out of these 173 petitions were disposed of by the committees and 19 are still with the committees to be finalized, however these stood withdrawn on account of conclusion of Parliamentary year and dismissal of Senate Committees. 327 petitions were found inadmissible after scrutiny. On the remaining petitions, miscellaneous actions were taken by the Secretariat such as provision of information/documents and necessary correction(s) in Public Petition Tables Database etc.
Total number of Public Petitions | Public Petitions disposed-of by the | Public Petitions lapsed | ||||||
referred to the Senate Committees | Senate Committees | |||||||
184 | 173 | 19 |
- Issues of Public Importance taken up by the Committees Senate Standing Committee on Aviation
S.No
1.
Point of Public Importance
referred by the House
Point of Public Importance regarding Different taxes of air tickets raised by Senator Rukhsana Zuberi
Date of referral Date of Status
presentation of
report in the
House
04-03-2020 26-08-2020 Disposed of
- Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat
Point of Public | Date of | |||||||||||||||||
presentation of | Status | |||||||||||||||||
S.No | Importance referred by | Date of referral | ||||||||||||||||
report in the | ||||||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||||||
House | ||||||||||||||||||
Point of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||
Raised by senator Sikandar | 01-03-2019 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | Mandhro | in | the | Senate | 18-09-2020 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||
21-01-2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
sitting Held on 01st March, | ||||||||||||||||||
2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
Point of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||
2 | Raised | by | Walid | Iqbal | 04-03-2020 | —— | Matter lapsed | |||||||||||
regarding Declassification of | ||||||||||||||||||
draft Constitution of 1954: | ||||||||||||||||||
Point of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||
regarding Letter | Written to | |||||||||||||||||
3 | DCs | from | Different | 10-06-2020 | ——- | Matter lapsed | ||||||||||||
departments | for | |||||||||||||||||
conformation of domicile. |
- Senate Standing Committee on Communication
Point of Public | Date of | |||||||||||||||||||
presentation of | Status | |||||||||||||||||||
S.No | Importance referred by | Date of referral | ||||||||||||||||||
report in the | ||||||||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||||||||
House | ||||||||||||||||||||
Discussion | on | Starred | ||||||||||||||||||
Question | No.56, asked by | |||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Bahramand | Khan | ||||||||||||||||||
1. | Tangi, regarding number of | 14-01-2020 | Pending | Matter was lapsed | ||||||||||||||||
Toll Plazas | established on | |||||||||||||||||||
the | Highways | and | ||||||||||||||||||
Motorways in the Country, | ||||||||||||||||||||
in the House. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | |||||||||||||||||
raised | by Senator | Sassui | ||||||||||||||||||
Palijo, | regarding | alleged | ||||||||||||||||||
objections by the NHA on | ||||||||||||||||||||
gas | section | schemes | ||||||||||||||||||
2. | pertaining | to | her | 06-01-2020 | Pending | Matter was lapsed | ||||||||||||||
Constituency (PS-85) for | ||||||||||||||||||||
the period when she was | ||||||||||||||||||||
member of the Cabinet of | ||||||||||||||||||||
Government | of | Sindh | ||||||||||||||||||
(2002-07 & 2008-13), in | ||||||||||||||||||||
the House. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | |||||||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator | Mian | |||||||||||||||||
3. | Muhamamd | Ateeq | Shaikh | 13-08-2020 | 26-01-2021 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||
regarding, charging of dual | ||||||||||||||||||||
toll tax on Sukkur-Multan | ||||||||||||||||||||
Motorway, in the House. |
- Senate Standing Committee on Commerce
Date of | |||||||||||||||
S.No | Point of Public Importance | Date of | presentation of | Status | |||||||||||
referred by the House | referral | report in the | |||||||||||||
House | |||||||||||||||
Point of | public importance | ||||||||||||||
raised by Senator Mir Kabir | |||||||||||||||
1. | Ahmed | Muhammad Shahi | 26-08-2020 | 29-01-2021 | Disposed of | ||||||||||
regarding | Discussion on the | ||||||||||||||
Point of Public |
- Senate Standing Committee on Finance
Point of Public | Date of | |||||||||||||||||
presentation of | Status | |||||||||||||||||
S.No | Importance referred by | Date of referral | ||||||||||||||||
report in the | ||||||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||||||
House | ||||||||||||||||||
1. | Point of | Public | Importance | |||||||||||||||
raised by Senator Barrister | ||||||||||||||||||
Muhammad | Ali | Khan | Saif | 04-03-2020 | Report presented | Disposed of | ||||||||||||
regarding Hurdles faced by | ||||||||||||||||||
diploma holders of B-tech | ||||||||||||||||||
for equivalence. | ||||||||||||||||||
2. | Point of | Public | Importance | |||||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator | Dr. | |||||||||||||||
Jehanzeb Jalamdini on 15th | ||||||||||||||||||
July, | 2020, | regarding | 15-07-2020 | 15-10-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||
scholarship issues faced by | ||||||||||||||||||
the | students | from | ||||||||||||||||
Balochistan | ||||||||||||||||||
3. | Point of Public Importance | |||||||||||||||||
raised by Senator Mushtaq | ||||||||||||||||||
Ahmed on 20th July, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
regarding inclusion of | 20-07-2020 | 15-10-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||||
inappropriate content | ||||||||||||||||||
about Pashtun Community | ||||||||||||||||||
in curriculum. | ||||||||||||||||||
4. | Point of Public Importance | |||||||||||||||||
raised by Senator | ||||||||||||||||||
Muhammad Usman Khan | ||||||||||||||||||
Kakar on 22nd July, 2020, | 19-08-2020 | Report presented | Disposed of | |||||||||||||||
regarding establishment of | ||||||||||||||||||
forest university in Ziarat | ||||||||||||||||||
and live-stock university in | ||||||||||||||||||
Musakhel Baluchistan. | ||||||||||||||||||
5. | Point of | Public | Importance | |||||||||||||||
raised by Senator Qurat-ul- | ||||||||||||||||||
ain Marri regarding a notice | ||||||||||||||||||
issued | by | Ministry | of | 19-08-2020 | Report lapsed | Disposed of | ||||||||||||
Federal | Education | and | ||||||||||||||||
Professional | Training | the | ||||||||||||||||
reference of curriculum. | ||||||||||||||||||
- Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs
Point of Public | Date of | |||||||||||||
presentation of | Status | |||||||||||||
S.No | Importance referred by | Date of referral | ||||||||||||
report in the | ||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||
House | ||||||||||||||
Point of Public Importance | ||||||||||||||
1. | raised by Senator Sherry | |||||||||||||
Rehman regarding recent | 13-08-2020 | —— | Matter lapsed | |||||||||||
development in the | ||||||||||||||
relationship of Pakistan & | ||||||||||||||
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | ||||||||||||||
Point of Public Importance | ||||||||||||||
2. | raised by Senator | |||||||||||||
Mushahid Hussain Sayed | 19-08-2020 | 20-10-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||
regarding issuance of | ||||||||||||||
notice by FBR to the | ||||||||||||||
Ambassador of Palestine. |
- Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights
Point of Public | Date of | |||||||||||||||||||||
presentation of | Status | |||||||||||||||||||||
S.No | Importance referred by | Date of referral | ||||||||||||||||||||
report in the | ||||||||||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||||||||||
House | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The | Point | of | Public | |||||||||||||||||||
Importance | Raised | by | ||||||||||||||||||||
1. | senator | Waleed | Iqbal | in | 10-06-2020 | 19-08-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||||
the Senate sting held on | ||||||||||||||||||||||
10th June, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Point of Public importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
moved | by | Senator | Fida | Matter being sub- | ||||||||||||||||||
2. | Muhammad | regarding | 24-06-2020 | —– | judice in nature; | |||||||||||||||||
Arrest and naked video of | couldn‟t be dealt | |||||||||||||||||||||
young man by SHO, PS | by the Committee | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tehkal | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Point of Public Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
moved by senator Hidayat | Matter did not fall | |||||||||||||||||||||
3. | Ullah regarding arrest and | 24-06-2020 | within the | |||||||||||||||||||
death of a labourer in | —– | jurisdiction of the | ||||||||||||||||||||
custody | of | Kotli, | Azad | Committee | ||||||||||||||||||
Kashmir police. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Point of Public Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
regarding | “Discrimination | No extension in | ||||||||||||||||||||
4. | and insecurity felt by Parsi | 24-07-2020 | —– | time period was | ||||||||||||||||||
Community | “raised | by | granted / NFA | |||||||||||||||||||
Senator Giandchand | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Point of Public Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
regarding | “Suicide | of | a | Matter being sub- | ||||||||||||||||||
family due to hunger and | ||||||||||||||||||||||
——- | judice in nature; | |||||||||||||||||||||
5. | the incident of beating up | 24-07-2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
couldn‟t be dealt | ||||||||||||||||||||||
of a | mother | by | his son | |||||||||||||||||||
by the Committee | ||||||||||||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator | Rana | |||||||||||||||||||
Maqbool Ahmad | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Point of Public Importance, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
regarding | “Attack | on | No extension in | |||||||||||||||||||
6. | Maryam | Nawaz | rally | in | 13-08-2020 | —– | time period was | |||||||||||||||
Lahore” | was | raised | by | granted / NFA | ||||||||||||||||||
Senator Pervaiz Rasheed. |
- Senate Standing Committee on Industries & Production
Point of Public | Date of | |||||||||||||||
presentation of | Status | |||||||||||||||
S.No | Importance referred by | Date of referral | ||||||||||||||
report in the | ||||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||||
House | ||||||||||||||||
Consideration of the Point of | ||||||||||||||||
Public Importance raised by | ||||||||||||||||
1. | Senator | Nauman | Wazir | 26-08-2020 | —— | Matter lapsed | ||||||||||
Khattak, | regarding | “Safety | ||||||||||||||
Stnadards | of Cars | Being | ||||||||||||||
assembled in Pakistan |
- Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology
Date of | |||||||||||||||||||||
Point of public | |||||||||||||||||||||
presentation of | Status | ||||||||||||||||||||
S.No | importance referred by | Date of referral | |||||||||||||||||||
report in the | |||||||||||||||||||||
the House | |||||||||||||||||||||
House | |||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator | Dr. | ||||||||||||||||||
Jehanzeb Jamaldini on 15th | |||||||||||||||||||||
1. | July, 2020, regarding non- | 15-07-2020 | Report presented | Matter disposed of | |||||||||||||||||
availability | of | Internet | |||||||||||||||||||
facility in the areas of Daag, | |||||||||||||||||||||
Aarangi | and | Battu, | etc, | ||||||||||||||||||
province of Balochistan | |||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||||
regarding “banning of social | |||||||||||||||||||||
2. | media | applications | in | 22-07-2020 | Report presented | Matter disposed of | |||||||||||||||
Pakistan” | raised | by Senator | |||||||||||||||||||
Mian | Muhammad | Ateeq | |||||||||||||||||||
Sheikh | |||||||||||||||||||||
Point of Public Importance | |||||||||||||||||||||
raised by Senator Mian | |||||||||||||||||||||
Muhammad Ateeq Sheikh on | |||||||||||||||||||||
3. | 24th | July, 2020, regarding | 24-07-2020 | Report presented | Matter disposed of | ||||||||||||||||
problems being faced by | |||||||||||||||||||||
young IT Professionals and | |||||||||||||||||||||
Investors due to non-serious | |||||||||||||||||||||
attitude of the Government | |||||||||||||||||||||
Point of Public Importance | |||||||||||||||||||||
raised by Senator | |||||||||||||||||||||
4. | Muhammad Ali Khan Saif on | 22-01-2021 | Report presented | Matter disposed of | |||||||||||||||||
22nd | January, 2021, | ||||||||||||||||||||
regarding growing trend of | |||||||||||||||||||||
blasphemy through internet |
- Senate Standing Committee on Information Broadcasting
Date of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
S.No | Point of Public Importance | Date of referral | presentation of | Status | |||||||||||||||||||||
referred by the House | report in the | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
House | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
regarding | character | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. | Assassination of | PPP | Leaders | 28-09-2018 | 16-10-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||||||||
on raised | by | Senator | Abdul | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Rehman Malik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
regarding | “issue | of | equal | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2. | representation | in | talk | shows | 14-01-2020 | 20-10-2020 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||||||
on PTV” raised by Senator | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abdul Rehman Malik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
regarding “non-adherence to | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. | the | restriction | of | the | 04-03-2020 | 26-01-2021 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||||||
expunged | words | raised | by | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Nauman | Wazir | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Khattak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
regarding | removal | of | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
4. | employees from Press Club of | 04-03-2020 | 19-08-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pakistan | raised | by | Senator | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mir | Kabeer | Ahmed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Muhammad Shahi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
regarding | “closure | of | PTV | ||||||||||||||||||||||
5. | Bolan | Channel” | raised | by | 15-07-2020 | 16-09-2020 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Muhammad | Usman | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Khan Kakar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
regarding “non-adherence to | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
6. | the | restriction | of | the | 04-03-2020 | 26-01-2021 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||||||
expunged | words | raised | by | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Senator | Nauman | Wazir | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Khattak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator | Mushahid | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hussain | Sayed | regarding | |||||||||||||||||||||||
7. | airing | of | Indian | sports | 18-09-2020 | Report presented | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||||||
channel | in | Pakistan | despite | ||||||||||||||||||||||
PEMRA‟s | complete | ban | on | ||||||||||||||||||||||
producing | and | Broadcasting | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Indian content. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | public | importance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator | Musaddiq | ||||||||||||||||||||||
9. | Malik | regarding | “airing | of | 08-06-2020 | Report presented | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||||||
incorrect | map | of | Pakistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
during live Transmission |
- Senate Standing Committee on Interior
Point of Public | Date of | ||||||||||||||||||
presentation of | Status | ||||||||||||||||||
S.No | Importance referred by | Date of referral | |||||||||||||||||
report in the | |||||||||||||||||||
the House | |||||||||||||||||||
House | |||||||||||||||||||
1. | Point | of | Public Importance | ||||||||||||||||
Regarding “Relief | Package | ||||||||||||||||||
for | Businesses | Especially | |||||||||||||||||
Hotels and | restaurants | in | 24-06-2020 | 27-07-2020 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||
ICT, | Islamabad, raised | by | |||||||||||||||||
Senator | Muhammad Javed | ||||||||||||||||||
Abbasi . | |||||||||||||||||||
2. | Point | of | Public Importance | ||||||||||||||||
regarding | “Alleged | Role | of | 22-07-2020 | |||||||||||||||
Customs | Department | in | |||||||||||||||||
Mater refer to | —– | NFA | |||||||||||||||||
Facilitating | Smuggling | at | |||||||||||||||||
Finance | |||||||||||||||||||
Afghan Border was raised by | |||||||||||||||||||
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed. | |||||||||||||||||||
3. | The | Point | of | Public | |||||||||||||||
Importance | regarding | 15-07-2020 | ——- | Matter lapsed | |||||||||||||||
“Fencing Issues on pak- | |||||||||||||||||||
Afghan Border | |||||||||||||||||||
4. | Point | of | Public Importance | ||||||||||||||||
regarding | Demolition | of | 22-07-2020 | ——- | Matter lapsed | ||||||||||||||
Mosques by CDA, was raised | |||||||||||||||||||
by Senator Prof. | |||||||||||||||||||
5. | The | Point | of | Public | |||||||||||||||
Importance | regarding | “ | |||||||||||||||||
Taking of illegal money from | 24-07-2020 | ——- | Matter lapsed | ||||||||||||||||
mine owners by FC personal | |||||||||||||||||||
in Balochistan. |
· | Senate | Standing | Committee | on | National | Food | Security | |||||||
and Research | ||||||||||||||
S.No | Point of public importance | Date of | Date of | Status | ||||||||||
referred by the House | referral | presentation | ||||||||||||
of report in | ||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||
Point of public importance raised | ||||||||||||||
1. | by Senator Muhammad Usman | 08-06-2020 | —– | Matter lapsed | ||||||||||
Khan Kakar regarding “Locust | ||||||||||||||
attack in Balochistan” |
- Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services Regulation & Coordination
Date of | |||||||||||||||||
S.No | Point of Public Importance | Date of | presentation | Status | |||||||||||||
referred by the House | referral | of report in | |||||||||||||||
the House | |||||||||||||||||
1. | Point | of | Public | Importance | |||||||||||||
regarding | “Implementation | of the | |||||||||||||||
concepts | of virtual | hospitals” | 10-06-2020 | 25-08-2020 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||
raised by Senator Muhammad Ali | |||||||||||||||||
Khan Saif | |||||||||||||||||
2. | Point | of | Public | Importance | |||||||||||||
regarding “Termination of Doctors | |||||||||||||||||
from | other provinces | serving at | 14-05-2020 | 15-09-2020 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||
PIMS moved by Senator Sajjad | |||||||||||||||||
Hussain Turi. | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Point | of | Public | Importance | |||||||||||||
regarding conduct of examination | |||||||||||||||||
by PMC board without consulting | 21-01-2021 | —– | Matter lapsed | ||||||||||||||
the concerned quarters raised by | |||||||||||||||||
Senator Sherry Rehman | |||||||||||||||||
4. | Point | of | Public | Importance | |||||||||||||
regarding | discrimination | among | 21-01-2021 | —– | Matter lapsed | ||||||||||||
patients in FGPC (Post Graduate | |||||||||||||||||
Medical Institute) |
- Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control
S.No | Point of public importance | Date of | Date of | Status | ||||||||||
referred by the House | referral | presentation | ||||||||||||
of report in | ||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||
Point of public importance raised | ||||||||||||||
1. | by Senator Sabir Shah regarding | 30-07-2020 | —– | Matter lapsed | ||||||||||
spread of narcotics use among | ||||||||||||||
youth |
- Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
Date of | |||||||||||||
S.No | Point of Public Importance | Date of | presentation | Status | |||||||||
referred by the House | referral | of report in | |||||||||||
the House | |||||||||||||
1. | Point of Public Importance raised | ||||||||||||
by Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan | 13-01-2020 | 16-10-2020 | |||||||||||
regarding, “bleak future of the | Disposed of | ||||||||||||
Employees of ERRA” in the House | |||||||||||||
2. | Point of Public Importance raised | ||||||||||||
by Senator Dr. Ghous Muhammad | |||||||||||||
Khan Niazi regarding “non- | 26-08-2020 | 29-01-2021 | Disposed of | ||||||||||
deferment of loan under the Prime | |||||||||||||
Minister Youth Loan Project” |
- Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs
S.No. | Point of Public Importance | Date of | Report | Status | ||||||||||||||||
referred by the House | referral | presented in | ||||||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | 27-07-2020 | 20-10-2020 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||
regarding | “Rent/demurage | |||||||||||||||||||
charges on | goods | imported | ||||||||||||||||||
1. | during | lock-down/Corona | ||||||||||||||||||
Pendemic” | raised by Senator | |||||||||||||||||||
Mirza Muhammad Afridi in the | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senate sitting held 27th | July, | |||||||||||||||||||
2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | 30-07-2020 | 20-10-2020 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||
regarding | “Early | closing of | ||||||||||||||||||
ofices | of | shipping | lines” | |||||||||||||||||
2. | raised | by Senator Mirza | ||||||||||||||||||
Muhammad | Afridi | in | the | |||||||||||||||||
Senate sitting held 30th | July, | |||||||||||||||||||
2020. |
- Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum
S.No.
Point of Public Importance referred by the House
Date of
referral
Report
presented in
the House
Status
1. | Point | of | Public | Importance | 01-03-2019 | 25-08-2020 | Disposed of | |
regarding | “Distributionof | and | ||||||
natural gas under Article 158 & | 21-01-2020 | |||||||
172 | of | the | Constitution” | |||||
raised by Senator Dr. Sikandar | ||||||||
Mandhro in the Senate sittings | ||||||||
held on 1st March, 2019 and | ||||||||
again on 21st January, 2020. | ||||||||
2. | Point | of | Public | Importance | 22-07-2020 | 25-08-2020 | Disposed of | |
regarding supply of gas to | ||||||||
Mastung, | Khaddi | Kocha, | ||||||
Mangochar and Kalat raised by | ||||||||
Senator | Mir Kabeer | Ahmed | ||||||
Muhammad Shahi on 22nd July, | ||||||||
2020. |
- Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum
S.No.
Point of Public Importance referred by the House
Date of
referral
Report
presented in
the House
Status
1 | Point | of | Public | Importance | 01-03-2019 | 25-08-2020 | Disposed of | |
regarding | “Distributionof | and | ||||||
natural gas under Article 158 & | 21-01-2020 | |||||||
172 | of | the | Constitution” | |||||
raised by Senator Dr. Sikandar | ||||||||
Mandhro in the Senate sittings | ||||||||
held on 1st March, 2019 and | ||||||||
again on 21st January, 2020. | ||||||||
2. | Point | of | Public | Importance | 22-07-2020 | 25-08-2020 | Disposed of | |
regarding supply of gas to | ||||||||
Mastung, | Khaddi | Kocha, | ||||||
Mangochar and Kalat raised by | ||||||||
Senator | Mir Kabeer | Ahmed | ||||||
Muhammad Shahi on 22nd July, | ||||||||
2020. |
- Senate Standing Committee on Power
S. No. | Point of public importance | Date of referral | Report | Status | ||||||||||||||||
referred by the House | presented in | |||||||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | public | importance | 24-01-2020 | 13-08-2020 | Disposed of | ||||||||||||||
1. | raised by senator Gianchand | |||||||||||||||||||
regarding “effects of Thar Coal | ||||||||||||||||||||
on local people. | ||||||||||||||||||||
2. | Point | of | public | importance | 04-03-2020 | 13-08-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator | Dilawar | |||||||||||||||||
Abbas | Khan | regard | “Policies | |||||||||||||||||
related | to | renewable | sources | |||||||||||||||||
of energy | ||||||||||||||||||||
3. | Point | of | public | importance | 04-03-2020 | 16-10-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator | Nauman | |||||||||||||||||
Wazir | Khattak | regarding | ||||||||||||||||||
“exact figure of circular dept” | ||||||||||||||||||||
4. | Point | of | public | importance | 20-07-2020 | —– | Matter lapsed | |||||||||||||
regarding | “Transparency | in | ||||||||||||||||||
the recruitment | process | of | ||||||||||||||||||
meter readers and linemen in | ||||||||||||||||||||
PESCO | ||||||||||||||||||||
5. | Point | of | Public | Importance | 20-07-2020 | 16-09-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||
raised by Senator Moula Bux | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chandio | regarding | “action | ||||||||||||||||||
taken by the Power on Lakhra | ||||||||||||||||||||
Power Plant (GENCO-IV), and | ||||||||||||||||||||
alleged | sale | of | Jamshoro | |||||||||||||||||
Power Plant (GENCO-I), Kotri, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sindh. | ||||||||||||||||||||
6. | Point | of | Public | Importance | 20-07-2020 | 20-10-2020 | Disposed off | |||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator | Usman | |||||||||||||||||
Khan | Kakar | regarding | ||||||||||||||||||
“Provision | of | electricity | to | |||||||||||||||||
Muslim Bagha Area of District | ||||||||||||||||||||
Qilla Saifullah, Baluchistan. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | 22-01-2021 | Report | Disposed off | ||||||||||||||
7. | raised by Senator Behramand | presented | ||||||||||||||||||
Khan Tangi regarding “non- | ||||||||||||||||||||
installation | of | electricity | ||||||||||||||||||
meters, promotion of Kunda | ||||||||||||||||||||
Culture and wrong billing by | ||||||||||||||||||||
PESCO in District Charsadda”. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public | Importance | 22-01-2021 | Report | Disposed off | ||||||||||||||
8. | raised | by | Senator | Kauda | presented | |||||||||||||||
Babar | regarding Provision | of | ||||||||||||||||||
electricity to | Makran | Division | ||||||||||||||||||
through | Establishment | of | ||||||||||||||||||
Power projects in the Area. |
- Senate Standing Committee on Railways
S.No. | Point of Public Importance | Date of | Report | Status | |||||||
referred by the House | referral | presented in | |||||||||
the House | |||||||||||
1 | Point | of | Public | Importance | 30-07-2020 | 15-09-2020 | Disposed of | ||||
regarding “Revival of Mandra- | |||||||||||
Chakwal Railways Line” raised | |||||||||||
by Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Abdul | |||||||||||
Qayyum in the Senate sitting | |||||||||||
held 30th July, 2020. | |||||||||||
2. | Point | of | Public | Importance | 04-03-2020 | —— | Matter lapsed | ||||
regarding | “Detail | of | |||||||||
profits/loss | of freight | trains” | |||||||||
raised | by | Senator Nauman | |||||||||
Wazir Khattak in the Senate | |||||||||||
sitting held 4th March, 2020. |
- Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs & Inter-Faith Harmony
S.No. | Point of Public Importance | Date of | Report | Status | |||||
referred by the House | referral | presented in | |||||||
the House | |||||||||
1 | Point | of | Public | Importance | 13-01-020 | 17-07-2020 | Disposed of | ||
raised | by | Senator | Fida | ||||||
Muhammad | regarding | ||||||||
interrogation | to Ummrah | ||||||||
Zireen at Islamabad Airport in | |||||||||
the Senate | |||||||||
2. | Point | of | Public | Importance | 25-01-2021 | ———- | Disposed of | ||
raised | by | Senator | Fida | ||||||
Muhammad regarding proper | |||||||||
mechanism | of | disposal | of | ||||||
Quranic | verses | published in | |||||||
the Senate. |
- Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology
Point of Public Importance | Date of | Report | Status | |||||||||||||||||
S.No | presented in | |||||||||||||||||||
referred by the House | referral | |||||||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public Importance | ||||||||||||||||||
raised | by | Senator Nauman | ||||||||||||||||||
Wazir | Khattak | regarding | “use | 26-08-2020 | Pending | Matter lapsed | ||||||||||||||
1. | of efficient | technology | to | |||||||||||||||||
reduce | electricity | |||||||||||||||||||
consumption” |
- Senate Committee on Child Abuse
Point of Public Importance | Date of | Report | Status | |||||||||||||||
S.No | presented in | |||||||||||||||||
referred by the House | referral | |||||||||||||||||
the House | ||||||||||||||||||
Point | of | Public Importance | ||||||||||||||||
1. | regarding | incidence | of | child | ||||||||||||||
abuse in Nowshehra raised by | 24-01-2020 | 26-01-2021 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||||
Senator Talha Mahmood in the | ||||||||||||||||||
House on 24-01-2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
2. | Point | of Public Importance | ||||||||||||||||
regarding | incidence | of | child | Report | ||||||||||||||
abuse | in | Mansehra | raised by | 03-01-2020 | Disposed of | |||||||||||||
presented | ||||||||||||||||||
Senator Rubina Khalid in the | ||||||||||||||||||
House. |
- Special Committees constituted by the Senate
Senate Committees took major issues of public importance during the Parliamentary Year 2020-21. Chairman Senate, along with the Leaders of the House and Opposition in the Senate appointed a number of Special Committees on various national issues under rule 204 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, with special mandate and terms of references for the redressal of the grievances. These Special Committees were given a specific time period to examine the issue in detail and present the report before the House. Some Special Committees with particular mandates are listed below:
- Special Committee on Law Reforms:
A Special Committee was constituted through the Motion adopted by the House during 277th Senate Session in the sitting held on Thursday, May 10, 2018 on Law Reforms, considering the need for updating the laws as per the needs and aspiration of people and changing demands of the society. Law reform is the process of changing and updating laws so that they reflect the current values and needs of the modern society. It is a perpetual and on-going process. The law must be flexible and receptive to change, so that it stays fair, relevant and up to date. The mandate of Committee is to review the laws, to recommend amendments / changes in the laws, where necessary, to the Senate of Pakistan and to ensure that law(s) under consideration is fair, simple and cost effective by conducting research and consultations in certain areas of law.
- Special Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
Another Special Committee constituted through a motion adopted by the Senate on Friday, July 13, 2018 to look into various aspects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. CPEC is a massive project for Pakistan which not only involves economic benefits but also caters for long term societal affects. The Special Committee is working to explore possibilities for maximum benefits for the people of Pakistan and to examine the ancillary aspects leading to concrete policy guidelines for the Government.
- Senate Implementation Committee
In its first meeting during the Parliamentary Tenure 2018-21, Council of Chairpersons held a detailed discussion on the issue of non-implementation of recommendations of Committees by the concerned Ministries. It was decided that a mechanism needs to be devised in order to compel the Government to take into consideration the recommendations of the Committees. Therefore; a Special Committee was constituted during 285th Session in its sitting held on Friday, December 21, 2018. The mandate of the Committee is to propose amendment in Rules, if necessary, in order to guarantee that Ministries shall take action on such recommendations of the Committees which the House adopts.
During this Parliamentary year, the Committee took up many issues referred to it by the House and Hon‟ble Chairman Senate, one of the main issue was to determine the quota in Federal Government Service post twenty fifth Constitutional amendment and merger of FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The issue was of a doctor whose candidature was denied by the FPSC on grounds of being the domicile holder of erstwhile FATA, while the advertised post for the professor of neurosurgery in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad was for the candidates belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Committee invited all the concerned stakeholders including the Ministers and Minister of state for Parliamentary Affairs, analysing the procedural and constitutional obligations; the Committee decided that post twenty-fifth amendment when there is no existence of FATA therefore for the post of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the candidates of erstwhile FATA are equally eligible. On the direction of the Committee and the concerned Minister; the FPSC upheld the appointment of neurosurgeon at the Pakistan Institute for Medical Sciences.
This was not a question of appointment of an individual rather it has set a precedent pressing the Constitutional obligations and shall prove to be helpful in the future confusion between the quota distributions of appointments among provinces post twenty-fifth Constitutional Amendment.
- Special Committee for the promotion and development of Football in the country
Chairman Senate, emphasizing the need of promoting the sports in the country constituted a Special Committee for the promotion of football in the country with the mandate to develop a special structure and work-plan for the encouragement of football in Pakistan.
- Parliamentary Committee to Protect Minorities from Forced Conversions
The Chairman, Senate of Pakistan in consultation with the Speaker, National Assembly of Pakistan has constituted a Parliamentary Committee, comprising of members of both the Houses of Parliament to investigate the causes of forced conversions of minorities and devise mechanism in form of legislation to prevent these forced conversions by penalizing the act. The Committee reviewed in detail the legislation enforced in the province of Sindh and is currently working to find ways to implement such legislation to the whole of Pakistan. Committee intends to take up views of stakeholders concerned and incorporate in the legislation in order to make it effective and implementable. Keeping up the progress, during this Parliamentary Year, the Committee held visits to the Sindh in order to analyse the on-ground situation and meet with the community of Hindus residing in the interior areas of Sindh, currently who are the victims of these forced conversions. The Committee seriously noted the grievances faced by the community and decided to propose a comprehensive and strict legislation in the Parliament. A sub-committee constituted by the Parliamentary Committee is working on the said legislation.
INTER PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS (IPR)
The Senate of Pakistan is an active and well respected member of the international parliamentary community. Inter-Parliamentary Relations (IPR) activities help to keep the Upper House of Parliament relevant, effective and innovative. These activities include a programme of inward and outward inter-parliamentary visits, membership of inter-parliamentary organisations, participation in Parliamentary Friendship Groups, and contributing to parliamentary conferences, workshops and study programmes. Parliamentary diplomacy increases mutual understanding between countries, develops best parliamentary practice, and ensures Pakistan is playing an active part in the international parliamentary community, regionally and globally. Members‟ active participation in inter-parliamentary organisations improves their knowledge and insights as legislators, which in turn improves parliamentary scrutiny of government.
Inter-Parliamentary Relations (IPR) Division foster connections between the New Senate of Pakistan and parliamentarians globally, complementing the relationships that exist between governments, non-governmental, and international organisations The IPR Division strives to support the Leadership and Members of Senate in effective promotion and strengthening of relations with the world parliaments and multilateral parliamentary bodies through effective parliamentary diplomacy, outreach activities, frequent visits, interaction and conduct of various seminars and conferences.
The period under reference has remained one of the most challenging times. At the beginning of 2020, the pandemic and associated restrictions put travel out of reach for a time. Now more than ever, our international connections are vital as we work together to share experiences and adapt how our parliaments operate. This made clear that the effective use of technology and resource development is essential to future-proof delivery of the programme, particularly parliamentary capacity building, technical assistance, and professional development. However, delivery by virtual means cannot completely replace the value of face-to-face relationship building and personal interaction in global forums. Like the rest of world Parliaments, the IPR Branch also had to rapidly adapt its functioning as a result of the COVID‑19 pandemic to ensure smooth flow of work. Senate Secretariat adopted several precautionary measures to safeguard the well‑being of Hon‟ble Members of Senate and the staff including closure of offices, remote working etc. Despite these challenges, Inter Parliamentary Relations (IPR) Branch in order to support the Senate of Pakistan in achieving its goals was instrumental in adopting and implementing new procedures and innovative solutions as the COVID-19 pandemic had forced everyone to remote working. Inter Parliamentary Relations (IPR) Branch arranged and organized Virtual Call-ons/ meetings between the Hon‟ble Chairman and the Speakers/ Presiding Officers of various Parliaments and also facilitated the participation of Hon‟ble Senators in various virtual conferences and webinars hosted by International Parliamentary bodies especially the IPU, CPA and APA.
‘CHAIRMAN-LED DIPLOMACY’
Covid-19 and reach out efforts
The hon‟ble Chairman Senate, being custodian of the House, has the mandate and authority to open doors in international relationships by converting divergences into convergences. During the period under reference, „Chairman-led diplomacy‟ helped to advance national interests by supporting greater understanding and cooperation between countries and parliaments. Cognizant of the multidimensional challenges affecting not only Pakistanis but citizens of the world due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and its impending effects on economies and livelihoods, the Senate of Pakistan strengthened its ties with international Parliaments. H.E. Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan took the initiative of reaching out to the countries that have been adversely affected by the pandemic. He took lead and offered assistance in sharing of best practices for containing the pandemic. He also reaffirmed his
commitment of using this adversity as an opportunity to address growing socio-economic inequalities across the globe. The countries included Canada, United Kingdom, Turkey, peoples Republic of China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and many others.
Virtual Call-on/ meetings between the Hon’ble Chairman Senate of Pakistan and the Speakers/ Presiding Officers of Parliaments
With the aim of strengthening of bilateral and Inter-Parliamentary Relations between the Senate of Pakistan and parliaments of various countries, IPR Branch conducted and facilitated various Virtual Call-on/ meetings between the Hon’ble Chairman Senate of Pakistan and the Speakers/ Presiding Officers of Parliaments in the wake of COVID-19 global pandemic and for seeking support for the candidature of H.E. Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan for IPU‟s Presidency. The details of Virtual Call-on/ meetings are below;
S. No. | Virtual Meetings | ||||
1. | H.E. Mr. Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairperson of the National Assembly of | ||||
Nepal | |||||
2. | H.E. Wang Yang, Chairman, 13th CPPCC, National Committee, Peoples | ||||
Republic of China | |||||
3. | H.E. Senator Mr. Scott Ryan, President of the Senate, The Commonwealth Of | ||||
Australia | |||||
4. | H.E. Tony Smith, MP, Speaker House of Representatives, The Commonwealth | ||||
Of Australia | |||||
5. | H.E. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan | ||||
Republic | |||||
6. | H.E. Faisal Akef El-Fayez, President of the Jordanian Senate | ||||
7. | H.E. Ashimbayev Maulen | Sagathanulyis, Chairperson of the Senate of | |||
Kazakhstan | |||||
8. | H.E. Nabih Mostapha Berry, | President of the Lebanese National Assembly | |||
9. | H.E. Mohamed Nasheed, Speaker of the Parliament of Maldives | ||||
10. | H.E. Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate of Nigeria | ||||
11. | H.E. Ahmad Bin Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, Speaker Shura Council of Qatar | ||||
12. | H.E. Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Council of the Federation of the | ||||
Russian Federation | |||||
13. | H.E. Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore | ||||
14. | H.E. Obuch Ojwok Akuo, Speaker of the South Sudan National Legislative | ||||
Assembly | |||||
15. | H.E. Hammouda Sabbagh, Speaker of the People’s Assembly of Syria | ||||
16. | H.E. Rustam Emomali, Chairman of the National Assembly of Tajikistan | ||||
17. | H.E. Mustafa Sentop, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey | ||||
18. | H.E Gulshat Mamedova, Chairperson of the National Parliament of | ||||
Turkmenistan | |||||
S. No. | Virtual Meetings |
19. | H.E. Saqr Ghubash, Speaker of the Majlis Watani Itihadi (Federal National |
Council), United Arab Emirates | |
20. | H.E. Jacob Francis Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe |
21. | H.E. Mukabalisa Donatille, Speaker of Rwanda‟s Chamber of Deputies |
22. | H.E. Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker, Islamic Consultative Assembly, |
Islamic Republic Of Iran | |
23. | H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei HENG SAMRIN, President (Speaker) |
of the National Assembly of Kingdom of Cambodia | |
24. | H.E. Ms. Dulce María Sauri Riancho, President of the Chamber of Deputies of |
the Mexican Parliament | |
25. | H.E. Mr. Oscar Eduardo Ramirez Aguilar, the President of the Senate of the |
Mexican Parliament | |
26. | H.E. Mr. Ahmad Lawan, the President of Senate of Nigeria |
Parliamentary cooperation through structured linkages- signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):-
In order to strengthen close relations existing between the Parliaments of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Djibouti a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Chairman Senate of Pakistan and the President of the National Assembly of Djibouti on 29th December, 2020. This MoU aims to enhance parliamentary interaction in bilateral and multilateral areas to improve mutual trust, expand consensus and promote cooperation. Moreover, this MoU endeavors to build capacity of Parliamentarians and parliamentary staffers through exchange of experiences, knowledge & expertise and study visits.
Invitations Extended by H.E. Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan:-
For promotion of Parliamentary diplomacy on reciprocity basis, the Hon‟able Chairman Senate of Pakistan has extended invitations to the following:
S. No | Details |
1 | Chairman of the Senate, Republic of Kazakhstan dated 01st October, 2020. |
2 | President of the Assembly of People‟s Representative, Republic of Tunisia |
dated 05th October 2020. | |
3 | President of Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Republic of Turkey, Ankara |
dated 05th October 2020. | |
4 | Managing Director of Emirates Foundation and Member of Abu Dhabi |
Executive Council, United Arab Emirates dated 05th October 2020. | |
5 | President of the Meshrano Jirga, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, dated 05th |
October 2020. | |
6 | Chairman of the National Assembly of Tajikistan, Republic of Tajikistan dated |
09th October, 2020. | |
7 | President of the Senate, The Senate Parliament House Canberra, |
Commonwealth of Australia, dated 20th October, 2020. | |
- Speaker of the council of the Federation, Russian Federation dated 9th November, 2020.
- Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Republic of Rwanda dated 9th November, 2020
- Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Iraq dated 3rd December, 2020
- President of the Senate, Kingdom of Belgium, dated 3rd December, 2020
- Prime Minister State of Qatar, Doha dated 9th November, 2020
Call-on H.E. Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani by the Ambassadors and High Commissioners:
Ambassadors and High Commissioners of various countries called on H.E. Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan and discussed issues of mutual interest. This helped in further strengthening the parliamentary cooperation for fostering long-standing partnerships, with the regional and international Parliaments, strengthening the parliamentary networks, agreements, and technical assistance programmes; asserting Pakistan‟s views and influencing the activities of inter-parliamentary organisations.
INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITIES
Outgoing Parliamentary delegations:
Six parliamentary delegations from the Senate of Pakistan visited abroad during the period from March 2020 to till date to further promote parliamentary diplomacy and relations with other parliaments and international parliamentary assemblies. The Honourable Chairman Senate and Members of Senate traveled abroad for bilateral visits as well as for participating in various parliamentary events and other international fora through IPR Division.
It is important to note that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic many of outgoing visits and International parliamentary conferences to be attended by the delegation from the Senate of Pakistan were either postponed or held virtually. Global pandemic posed some very new and unique challenges including mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing of the delegation before departure and arrivals. However, the IPR branch was quick to adapt to these new challenges and formulated strategies to ensure safe and smooth travel of delegation to various countries. The IPR Division conducted the following outgoing visits;
S.No. | List of Outgoing Visits |
1. | Visit of Senate delegation to Geneva, Switzerland for meeting at IPU |
Headquarter in connection with conduct of virtual elections of President IPU | |
(27th – 30th September, 2020) | |
2. | Visit of Senate Delegation to Abuja, Nigeria for lobbying and seeking |
support for the candidature of Chairman Senate for the IPU Presidency | |
(14th -17th October, 2020) | |
3. | Visit of Senate delegation to Amman, Jordon To Observe Parliamentary |
Election 2020 (9th – 11th November, 2020) | |
4. | Visit of Hon‟ble Chairman Senate of Pakistan to Iraq (26th – 28th November, |
2020) | |
5. | Visit of Senate delegation to attend “International Conference on Re- |
Imagining the Silk Road: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan in the Age of | |
Connectivity” (10th – 11th December, 2020) | |
6. | Visit of Senate Delegation to Djibouti City, the Republic of Djibouti (24th – |
28th January, 2021) | |
Incoming Parliamentary delegations:-
The spread of COVID-19 pandemic brought the world at a stand-still which restricted both inter and intra-parliamentary exchanges. Keeping in view the importance of inter-parliamentary interactions through observance of SOPs, the Senate of Pakistan successfully hosted the following delegations:
S. No. | Details | |||||||
- Visit of President of Inter-Parliamentary Union to Pakistan from 23rd to 28th August, 2020.
- Visit of President of Djibouti National Parliament along with a Parliamentary delegation to Pakistan on 28th December, 2020 to 3rd January, 2021.
Visit of President of Inter-Parliamentary Union to Pakistan from 23rd to 28th
August, 2020:
H.E. Ms. Gabriela Cuevas Barron, President of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), visited Pakistan from 23-28 August, 2020. This was a first-ever high profile visit at the level of incumbent IPU President. This visit was a significant parliamentary and diplomatic breakthrough.
During the course of this visit, the President IPU called on H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Asad Qaiser, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. She also called on the H.E. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Syed Fakhar Imam, Minister for National Food Security and Research. She also called on Dr Moeed W. Yousaf, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning. In addition to deliberations on key national and international issues, excursions and meetings were also arranged in Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan and the port city of Gwadar. Moreover, the first in person launch of IPU‟s 130th Anniversary Book at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS). This visit helped in promotion of a softer image of the country at the international stage through the auspices of IPU and its Member Parliaments.
Visit of President of Djibouti National Parliament along with a Parliamentary delegation to Pakistan on 28th December, 2020 to 3rd January, 2021:-
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ali Houmed, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Djibouti, alongwith a Parliamentary delegation visited Pakistan from 28th December, 2020 to 3rd January, 2021 which was in continuation of the Government of Pakistan‟s “Engage Africa” Initiative. This was a first-ever high profile visit by the President of the Djibouti National Parliament which paved way to not only improve parliamentary ties but also expand economic relations with one of the most important geo-strategically located Country in Africa.
During the course of this visit, the President of the National Assembly of Djibouti and his delegation called on H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Asad Qaiser, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The delegation also called on Dr Moeed W. Yousaf, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning, Lt General (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Chairman China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment. Moreover,
the delegation was also briefed at PIPS followed by signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the PIPS and the National Assembly of Djibouti for capacity building. In addition to deliberations on key national and international issues, excursions and meetings were also arranged at the hill station of Nathiagali and, the port city of Gwadar.
Friendship Groups
Parliamentary Friendship Groups help deepen Pakistan‟s relations with other countries and assist in promoting parliamentary democracy. The groups provide members with opportunities for direct engagement with legislators from other countries and enhance understanding of regional and global issues. With a view to strengthening the Inter-Parliamentary links and promote Parliamentary cooperation, Senate of Pakistan has established Parliamentary Friendship Groups on reciprocal basis. At present there are 78 Parliamentary Friendship Groups in the Senate of Pakistan. During the period under reference three new groups have been constituted to enhance the Parliamentary outreach.
INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ORGANIZATIONS
At the multilateral level, the Senate and the National Assembly are members of the Inter-Parliamentary union (IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) and actively participates in their events/ conferences.
Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU):
The Inter-Parliamentary Union is one of the oldest and biggest parliamentary organization in the world with 173 members and 11 regional assemblies as associate members. The total Membership of IPU is divided into 06 Regional Groups. The Union has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland. Established in 1889, it is considered to be a focal point for world-wide parliamentary discussions and also for nurturing healthy tradition in representative democracies. The IPU supports the efforts of and works in close co-operation with the United Nations, whose objectives it shares. IPU statutory Assemblies and specialized meetings serve as a testing ground for new ideas and initiatives leading to important breakthroughs in the search for peace and advancing international co-operation. Pakistan is part of Asia-Pacific geopolitical group. IPU holds its Assemblies, twice a year, to consider questions of international concern and also to express views on political, economic, social, cultural, humanitarian and environmental problems of international significance.
The Senate of Pakistan became Member of IPU in 1973, immediately after adoption of bicameral system of democracy and since then Senate delegations have been actively participating in IPU conferences and its related meetings. Pakistan‟s representation at various IPU Committees has remained instrumental and highly recognized. Following Members from the Senate of Pakistan are elected as Bureau Members of IPU from the Asia-Pacific Group.;
S.No. | Name | IPU Standing Committee/ Bureau | |||||||
1. | Senator Mian Raza Rabbani | IPU Executive Committee | |||||||
2. | Senator Farooq H. Naek | Standing Committee on United Nations | |||||||
Affairs | |||||||||
3. | Senator Agha Shahzaib | Forum of Young Parliamentarians of | |||||||
Durrani | IPU | ||||||||
4. | Senator Sherry Rehman | Standing Committee on Sustainable | |||||||
Development | |||||||||
The details of activities during the Parliamentary year 2020-2021 is as under:-
Virtual session of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (5WCSP_ held from 19th -20th August 2020):
The Hon‟ble Chairman Senate of Pakistan addressed the Speakers of Parliaments of the World during the said virtual session. The two day virtual event was also attended by delegates from the Senate of Pakistan who also participated virtually during various panel discussions. This virtual event was organized by IPU in close cooperation with the Parliament of Austria and the United Nations, under the overall theme of Parliamentary leadership for more effective multilateralism that delivers peace and sustainable development for the people and planet.
206th Session of Governing Council of IPU (Extraordinary Virtual meeting) held from 1st – 4th November 2020:
IPU Executive Committee decided that a Virtual Session of the Governing Council from 1st – 4th November, 2020, will be convened in light of the impossibility of holding a physical 142nd Assembly in 2020. 206 th Governing Council Virtual Session was called on to take decisions on pressing matters pertaining to the functioning of the IPU, including the election of a new President for the Organization. IPR Branch facilitated the participation of the Members in all virtual meetings/ sessions, Presidential hearing, remote elections and session in connection with the 206th Session of Governing Council and the election of a new President for the Organization.
The Hon‟ble Speaker of National Assembly, on behalf of the Parliament of Pakistan, put forward the candidature of Hon‟ble Chairman Senate of Pakistan for election as new President of IPU from the Asia-pacific Group. It was the first ever candidate for the Post of IPU President from the Senate of Pakistan and was fully backed by both Chambers of the Parliament of Pakistan and by the Government of Pakistan. Also, this was the first ever elections of IPU to be conducted virtually with remote voting and covered Parliaments from 173 countries of the World. Virtual elections and the extraordinary virtual session posed unique challenges as a result of the COVID‑19 pandemic. In order to ensure aggressive strategy for participation in the elections during the global pandemic IPR Branch had to rapidly adapt its functioning and finds way to reach out to World Parliaments for support.
IPR Branch under the directions of the Hon‟ble Chairman Senate of Pakistan formulated and implemented a comprehensive outreach program, in coordination with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistani Mission abroad, for seeking support for candidature of Chairman Senate of Pakistan for IPU‟s Presidency which included Telephonic/ Virtual meetings between the Hon’ble Chairman Senate and the Speakers/ Presiding Officers of Parliaments, visits of delegation from the Senate to various countries including visit to IPU Headquarters for discussion on modalities of remote voting process, formulation of Parliamentary committees including Members from both houses of Parliament for daily meetings with Resident Ambassadors of IPU Member countries. Moreover, letters were also send to IPU Member Parliament for seeking support of Candidature.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA):
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is a platform of nations and prominent legislators from Commonwealth countries to exchange experiences and promote understanding for parliamentary institutions by holding conferences at regular intervals for debates on matters of immediate concern to Commonwealth countries. It also connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and implementation of enduring values of the Commonwealth. Active participation by Senate delegations in these conferences has helped in maintaining contact with the Commonwealth countries and conveying Pakistan‟s stance on various matters. These conferences have also helped in boosting cooperation between parliaments of member countries on social and economic issues like
ever-growing trade imbalance between third world and developed countries etc. Pakistan‟s active participation at CPA conferences has proved to be mutually beneficial to us and the forum.
The Senate of Pakistan has closely coordinated with CPA Headquarters on various parliamentary procedural and capacity building Programs of parliamentarians and staff in the sphere of parliamentary capacity building of parliamentarians. On the invitation of CPA Headquarters and CPA UK Branch, parliamentary delegations from Senate of Pakistan had visited London wherein Members were introduced with parliamentary practice and procedures. Senate of Pakistan regularly attends the CPA annual conference and other related activities in coordination with the National Assembly Secretariat. However, the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) to be held in 2020 was postponed on account of global pandemic and health crisis. During the period under reference, the Senate of Pakistan participated in the following events
- Senate of Pakistan has remained actively involved in formulation of CPA Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures and its further review. CPA Headquarters is in process of development of framework to conduct a self-assessment against new Recommended Benchmarks. 18 Parliaments were being offered this opportunity and Parliament of Pakistan is one of them. In this regard, an officer from the CPA headquarters also visited in February, 2020 to conduct an in country assessment of Senate of Pakistan against the updated benchmarks.
- Delegation from the Senate of Pakistan actively participated in the Virtual International Conference on Assisting and Protecting Survivors of Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Forced Labour held from 15 to 16 September, 2020.
- A delegation comprising Parliamentarians and Clerks of the Parliament from the Senate of Pakistan attended the Westminster Seminar 2020: Preparing Parliamentarians for a changing world from 23rd November to 25th November, 2020.
- A delegation from Senate of Pakistan participated in the Virtual Meeting of the Chairmen of the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committees of the Pro Palestinian Countries hosted by the Parliament of Iran on 18th January, 2021 to
Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA):
Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) was established as an outcome of decisions of 5th General Assembly session of Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP) held in Islamabad in December 2004. However, it took two years to formally establish APA in 2006 at the 7th Session of the AAPP in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Senate of Pakistan is one of the co-founders and Pakistan has become the birth place of APA. The Charter of APA was adopted at the First Session of the APA Plenary in November 2006. With 44 Member Parliaments and 14 Observer Parliaments from Asia and with 10 Regional/ International Organizations as Observers, the APA has so far convened 11 Plenary Sessions, 18 Executive Council, 37 Standing Committee. In addition to this, 132 resolutions have been adopted by the plenary sessions of APA.
Asian Parliament:
The creation of an Asian Parliament has remained resonating in the agenda of APA Plenaries and meetings from the past in one way or the other. But it was during two year APA Presidency of Pakistan (2013-2015) which led to tangible efforts for creation of Asian Parliament. In 6th APA Plenary Session, Pakistan coined the idea of Asian Parliament and since then Pakistan has remained actively engaged in its realization. As in 7th Plenary held during December, 2014, adoption of Lahore Declaration remarked establishment of Special Committee for Creation of Asian Parliament (SCCAP) to be based in Islamabad, to work on a single agenda of establishing Asian Parliament. Senate of Pakistan took initiatives for streamlining the work of SCCAP and generating its momentum in the right direction for an Asian Parliament. In January 2015, former Chairman Senate of Pakistan held a meeting with Mr. Martin Schulz, President of
European Parliament, with a special focus and intention on seeking input on establishment of European Parliament. Besides, Senate of Pakistan passed a unanimous resolution in favour of the establishment of the Asian Parliament on 10th March, 2015.
Pakistan with its aggressive efforts and commitment is now among the leading Members of APA especially with regard to the creation of Asian Parliament. Members of APA are supportive of Pakistan leadership and guidance to transform APA into in the institutional voice of Asia.
First virtual meeting of Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) on COVID-19 (9th
July, 2020):
The First Virtual Meeting of Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) on COVID-19 Outbreak was attended by the Members of Senate which was held 9th July, 2020 and organized by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the current President of Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA). The delegation from the Senate actively participated in the virtual debate and a brief statement by the Head of Delegation from the Senate of Pakistan was made during the meeting. A Draft Declaration on the “Implications of COVID-19 pandemic in public health, economics, and other fields on the Asian continent” was also adopted by the Member Parliaments of APA.
New approach to parliamentary connectivity- virtual meetings/conferences and webinars:
Face to face Interactions between Parliamentarians and Parliaments are extremely essential to foster and strengthen bilateral relations between the countries. These interactions can take place at both bilateral level or during meetings/ conferences of multilateral parliamentary bodies. However, the Parliamentary year 2021-2021 has been particularly difficult in this regard as global pandemic has forced everyone to remote working, limited travel which posed some very new and unique challenges.
Inter Parliamentary Relations (IPR) Branch with the aim to promote and strengthen relations with world parliaments and International parliamentary fora during the global pandemic has adopted and implemented new procedures and innovative solutions with a view to support the Senate of Pakistan in achieving its goals. This includes coordination with the Host Parliament/ Event organizers on the virtual event, provision of I.T equipment, communication tools such as Zoom, Skype, WebEx and fast internet connection in coordination with the I.T. Directorate for the participation and facilitation of Hon‟ble Members of Senate in various virtual conferences and webinars hosted by International Parliamentary bodies especially the IPU, CPA and APA. The IPR Branch led following Virtual Meeting/ Webinars during the Parliamentary year 2020-2021;
S. No | Virtual Meeting/ Webinars | ||||||
- Webinar “Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic: parliamentary action to reduce risks, strengthen emergency preparedness and increase resilience” (28th April, 2020)
- Webinar for Parliamentarians on COVID-19 Response and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) held on 9th June, 2020 and 3rd September, 2020
- Webinar for Parliamentarians: “COVID-19 and Gender Equality” held on 7th July, 2020
- First virtual meeting of Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) on COVID-19 (9th July, 2020)
S. No | Virtual Meeting/ Webinars | |||
5. | Climate Legislation Webinar Series: | |||
i) | 1st Webinar: “Compliance and implementation under the Paris | |||
Agreement” held on 28th July, 2020 | ||||
ii) | 2nd Webinar: “Climate Legislation” held on 27th August, 2020 | |||
iii) | 3rd Webinar: “Law and Governance approaches within the ocean-climate | |||
nexus” held | on 17th September, 2020. | |||
iv) | 4th Webinar: “Legislative approaches in the ensuring social stability in | |||
communities | facing climate-induced risks” held on 8th October, 2020 | |||
6. | Webinar for the Asia-Pacific Region Parliaments: “The impact of COVID-19 on | |||
SDG implementation in Asia-Pacific: What role for parliaments?” held on 28th | ||||
July, 2020 – Organized jointly by IPU and the United Nations Economic and | ||||
Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific | ||||
7. | International Virtual Conference on “Assisting and protecting survivor of | |||
Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Forced Labour” (15th -16th September, | ||||
2020) | ||||
8. | Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance the role of parliaments in | |||
disaster risk reduction held on 17th November, 2020 | ||||
9. | Virtual session of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament | |||
(5WCSP)_ held from 19th -20th August 2020) | ||||
10. | IPU Presidential Hearing with Candidates – Virtual Event held on 21st October, | |||
2020 | ||||
11. | 206th Session of Governing Council of IPU (Extraordinary Virtual meeting) held | |||
from 1st – 4th November 2020 | ||||
12. | Virtual Meeting of Asia Pacific Group (APG) Members OF IPU (30th October, | |||
2020) | ||||
13. | Virtual meeting of Asia-Pacific Group of IPU with newly elected President of IPU | |||
(11th January, 2021) | ||||
14. | 11th session of the IRENA Assembly (18-21 January 2021) and its related | |||
meetings (13-14 January 2021) held virtually | ||||
15. | Webinar on “The role of parliamentarians to advance disarmament in cyber- | |||
space” (27th January 2021) | ||||
16. | “Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations” – Virtual event held from 17th – | |||
18th February, 2021 | ||||
RESEARCH SERVICES
During the Parliamentary Year, 2020-21, the Research Directorate continued to provide demand-driven research support, in addition to proactively delivering self-generative research products. During the year, and despite lockdowns and work-from-home protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Research Directorate managed to meet deadlines and execute significant research based assignments, information for hosted events, and briefs and talking points for both outgoing and incoming delegations, thus maintaining its values of efficiency and timeliness. All speeches and statements for the Honorable Chairman Senate, Deputy Chairman Senate, Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition, and individual requests from members of the Senate of Pakistan were delivered on time and keeping in mind the intricacies of the House of the Federation. The Research Directorate also supported the Committees of the Senate of Pakistan through Committee briefs, in addition to its support to the Senate Secretariat as well.
The Research Directorate provided a wide range of research products during the Year 2020-21, which included:
- Research Briefs; Background Papers; Talking Points for local and international events; Country Profiles; Comparative Studies; Preparation of Fact Sheets etc. for support during debates; and provision of statistics and data.
- Assistance to the IPR Branch of the Senate with regards to UN, IPU, IPC, APA and other International Parliamentary Conferences.
- Speeches and Statements for the Office of the Honorable Chairman Senate, Deputy Chairman Senate, Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition and members of the Senate as and when required.
Statistics of Research Work Carried out during PY 2020-21
o Briefs for Parliamentary Delegations | : | 75 | ||
o Research documents for Senators | : | 113 | ||
o | Speeches and Statements | : | 128 | |
o Support to the House and Committees | : | 51 | ||
o | Miscellaneous Research Assignments | : | 124 |
LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING UNIT (LDU)
The Chairman Senate has taken a number of new innovative steps to strengthen the Parliament. The establishment of Senate Legislative Drafting Unit (LDU) is one of such initiatives. The LDU has been set up in compliance with a decision taken by Chairman Committee of Council of Chairpersons 9th meeting held on 16th January, 2017 to provide support services to the Members of the Senate for facilitating them in the legislative business.
Team
The Deputy Secretary (Legislation) also supervise working of the Drafting Unit alongwith his own Legislation Desk. The LDU comprises of two Deputy Directors and six Assistant Directors.
Mandate
The mandate of the LDU includes:-
- To assist the Members in drafting of Private Members Bills.
- To scrutinize existing Laws, Rules and Regulations of the Federal Government.
- To support the Committee on Delegated Legislation in the performance of its functions as mentioned in Rule-172-C and 172-D, of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2012.
- To support all other Senate Standing/Functional/Special Committees in their specific and general legislative issues.
Standing Operating Procedures
In order to streamline its procedures for provision of drafting services to the Members and the Committees, the LDU has framed its Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs). The SOPs provide complete procedure for working of the LDU and the way how Members could get the drafting support for their proposed Bills. These SOPs provide a way to achieve the desired objectives of this Unit for which it has been established and will also improve its overall standard of legislative drafting.
Progress
Despite the fact that LDU is a newly established Unit; it has rendered valuable services in the core areas of drafting of Private Member‟s Bills, review of the Bills, review of the Delegated Legislation and assistance to the Senate Committees. Following are some of the achievements of the LDU:
Private Member’s Bills Drafted by LDU:
In the last year, the LDU has drafted the following Private Member‟s Bills for the Members.
Sr. No. | Title of the Bill | |
- The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
- The National Highways Safety (amendment) Bill, 2020.
- The Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
Sr. No. | Title of the Bill | ||||
4 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendments in Articles 1, 51, 59, | ||||
106, 175 A, 192, 198, 218 and 246). | |||||
5 | The Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
6 | The Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
7 | The Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
8 | The Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
9 | The National High Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
10 | The Pakistan Environmental Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
11 | The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
12 | The Pakistan Penal Code (amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
13 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020. (Amendment of Article 251). | ||||
14 | The Federal Board of Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
15 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020. (Amendment of Article 1, 51, 59, and | ||||
106). | |||||
16 | The National High Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
17 | The Digitization of Exams Bill, 2020. | ||||
18 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020. (Amendment of Article 260). | ||||
19 | The Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power | ||||
(Amendment) Bill, 2020. | |||||
20 | The Chairman and Speaker (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) (Amendment) | ||||
Bill, 2020. | |||||
21 | The Members of Parliament (Salaries & Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
Sr. No. | Title of the Bill | ||||
22 | The Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
23 | The Islamabad Consumers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
24 | The Pakistan Environmental Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
25 | The Usury Proscription Bill, 2020. | ||||
26 | The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2020. (Omission of section124A). | ||||
27 | The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2020. (Omission of section 153B). | ||||
28 | The Naya Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
29 | The Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
30 | The Working women (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2020. | ||||
Private Member’s Bills Reviewed:
The LDU has reviewed following Private Member‟s Bills for the Members.
Sr. No. | Title of the Bill | ||||
1 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Waqf Properties (Amendment) Act, 2020. | ||||
2 | The Protection against Harassment of Students in Educational Institutions Act, | ||||
2020. | |||||
3 | The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2020. | ||||
4 | The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (Amendment) Bill | ||||
2020. | |||||
5 | The Islamabad Rent Restriction (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
6 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Trust Bill, 2020. | ||||
7 | The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
8 | The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
9 | The Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
10 | The Legal Practitioner and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
11 | The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
12 | The Constitution (amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of Article 213). | ||||
13 | The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
Sr. No. | Title of the Bill | ||||||
14 | The Public Complaints (Removal of Grievances) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
15 | The Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
16 | Enforcement of Women‟s Property Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
17 | The Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
18 | The Fatal Accidents (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
19 | The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
20 | The Islamabad Compulsory Teaching of the Arabic Language, Bill, 2020 | ||||||
21 | The Protection against Harassment of Student in Educational Institutions Bill, | ||||||
2020 | |||||||
22 | The Provincial Motor Vehicle Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, 2020 | ||||||
23 | The Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
24 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
25 | The Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
26 | The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
27 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Waqf Properties Act, 2020. | ||||||
28 | The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
29 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Waqf Properties (Repeal), 2020. | ||||||
30 | The Pakistan Medical Commission Act, (Repeal), 2020. | ||||||
31 | The Islamabad Control of Prices of Essential Commodities and Price-Hike Bill, | ||||||
2020. | |||||||
32 | The Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
33 | The Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Bill 2020. | ||||||
34 | The Islamabad Control of Prices of Essential Commodities and Price-Hike Bill, | ||||||
2020. | |||||||
35 | The Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Bill, 2020. | ||||||
36 | The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
37 | The Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Bill, 2020. | ||||||
38 | The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
39 | The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2020. | ||||||
40 | The Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
41 | The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (Amendment) Bill | ||||||
2020. | |||||||
42 | The Provincial Motor Vehicle Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
43 | The Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||||
Sr. No. | Title of the Bill | ||||
44 | The Citizens Protection (against Online Harm Rules) 2020. | ||||
45 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Article 93) | ||||
46 | The Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
47 | The Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) 2020. | ||||
48 | The Islamabad Capital Territory Trust (Amendment) Bill 2020. | ||||
49 | The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2020. | ||||
Support to the Committee on Delegated Legislation
Subordinate legislation has become an important constituent element of legislation due to multidimensional aspects and complexity of social, developmental and scientific phenomena. It is also equally important to inquire the delegated legislation framed by the Executive on the yardstick of Constitution and Parent Act. Legislation is an inherent and inalienable right of Parliament which cannot be usurped or transgressed under the guise of subordinate legislation. Amongst the mechanisms adopted by the Legislature to check the delegated legislation is the mandate of the Committee on Delegated Legislation to examine whether the powers conferred by the Parent Act on the Executive have been duly exercised within the ambit of law.
The LDU has provided best possible assistance to the Committee on Delegated Legislation in the performance of its functions as mentioned in the Rules 172-C and 172-D of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012. The list of such Rules is as follows:
Sr. | Title of the Rules | ||||
1 | The Alternative Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules, 2014. | ||||
2 | The DRAP Employees Service Regulations, 2015. | ||||
3 | The Drug (Appellate Board) Rules, 1976. | ||||
4 | The Drug (Federal Inspectors, Federal Drug Laboratory and Federal Government | ||||
Analysts) Rules, 1976. | |||||
5 | The Drugs (Imports and Exports) Rules, 1976. | ||||
6 | The Drugs (Labelling and Packaging) Rules, 1976. | ||||
7 | The Drugs (Licensing, Registration and Advertisement) Rules, 1976. | ||||
8 | The Drugs (Research) Rules, 1978. | ||||
9 | The Drugs (Specifications) Rules, 1978. | ||||
10 | Health Services Academy (Restructuring) Rules , 2015. | ||||
11 | The Homeopathic (Examinations) Regulations, 1986 | ||||
12 | The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2012 | ||||
13 | The Medical Devices Rules, 2017 | ||||
14 | The Drugs Pricing Policy, 2018 | ||||
15 | The Scheme for the administration of the National Trust for Population Welfare | ||||
16 | The Unani, Ayurveda and Homeopathic System of Medicine Rules, 1980 | ||||
Support to other Standing/Functional/Special Committees
The LDU has extended its assistance to the other Committees of the Senate. The Chairman of a Committee or its Secretary may refer a Bill to the Drafting Unit for input or review from the drafting perspective. By using office of the Drafting Unit, Committee Members may also receive opinion on drafting issues and seek amendments in legislative format. Members may also ask the Drafting Unit to review the amendment in light of the Constitution and the existing laws. So far, the LDU has extended legal and drafting services to the Members on various subjects. In this regard, the list of the Bills reviewed by the LDU is as under:
Sr. | Title of the Bills | ||||
1 | The Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
2 | The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
3 | The United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
4 | The Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power | ||||
(Amendment) Bill, 2019. | |||||
5 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019 ( insertion of Article 25B) | ||||
6 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (Insertion of new Article 253A). | ||||
7 | The Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
8 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of Article 213) | ||||
9 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of Article 213 & 215) | ||||
10 | The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Amendment of Article 140) | ||||
11 | The ICT rights of persons with Disability Bill (2020). | ||||
12 | The Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Bill, | ||||
13 | The ICT Right of Persons with Disability Bill, 2020 | ||||
14 | The Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act, 2020. | ||||
15 | The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2020. | ||||
16 | The Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power | ||||
(Amendment) Bill, 2020. | |||||
17 | Policy Paper on Laws, Rules and Court Decisions Related to Interpretation Procedure | ||||
of Court Judgments. | |||||
18 | A Research Paper on Pakistan‟s Existing Legislative and Policy Framework on Child | ||||
Protection/Child Abuse. | |||||
19 | Attended the hearing and assistance provided in case pertaining to Information | ||||
Commission. | |||||
20 | Briefs prepared and assistance provided to the Committee on Delegated Legislation. | ||||
21 | Provision of Existing Laws on Child Protection. | ||||
22 | Working paper on Occupational Groups of Civil Service. | ||||
23 | Working paper on Finance Division. | ||||
24 | Working paper on Procurement of Senate of Pakistan from Federal Consolidated Fund | ||||
and Public Account | |||||
SENATE LIBRARY
Library being a gateway to information has over the years maintained its tradition of collecting and disseminating human wisdom in form of print and digital format. The library serves as a tool of excellence and promotes learning by the providing learning environment which integrates reading places, information technology and materials for study and research.
The primary role of the Library is to provide reliable, authoritative, relevant and timely information and library services which help Members of Parliament in the House as well as in the Standing, Functional and Special Committees to make better laws, device policies and facts based recommendations.
- Library serves to;
- all Senators and Parliamentarians
- all officers and staff of the Senators when undertaking work in House or
- access to print and online information resources
- books, Hansard and journals
- Quick referencing service
- an interlibrary loan service.
- Parliamentarians and their staff can access online catalogue of library collections from their offices or mobile devices.
- Pakistan Laws through [Pakistanlawsite.com]
- A database of IPU called PARLINE through [http://archive.ipu.org/pa]rline/parlinesearch.asp]
- A database of UNDP called AGORA through [http://learn.agora-parl.org]
VII. Library also subscribes leading law journals i.e. PLD, PLJ, SCMR, PCrLJ, PTD, TD, SC, SCJ, CrLJ, PLC, CLS, CLD, AIR, ALD, MLD. In order to serve Parliamentarians with more refined search of the law journals, library is also registered with Pakistan Law Site (an online repository of law journals).
VIII. Important statistics of the Parliamentary Year 2020-2021
- Annexure of the questions scanned and sent via email to media persons/ journalists : 26
- Books issued to the Senator and senate staff : 200
- Quick reference services to Committees: 74
- References of laws Legislation branch on Bills: 53
- Books purchased: 140
- Number of laws amended to update law books: 6
- Online information retrieval and printing of documents: 70
- Inter Library Loan of books: 7
PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT (PMU)
The Project Management Unit (PMU) has been constituted to provide secretarial support to the potential and on-going projects initiated by the Senate of Pakistan in collaboration with National and International development partners.
The PMU deals with all matters relating to initiation, administration, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of projects extended by donor agencies in lieu of assistance to the Senate The Project Management Unit in the Senate Secretariat is mandated to liaison development/capacity building initiatives and programs with developmental partners/ International organizations including international parliamentary organisations and Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services.
Over the past fifteen years, there has been a proliferation in the number and types of players that support parliamentary reform, among them international, governmental, and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), national governments, parliaments, and academic institutions. The foreign development partners include United Nations Development Program, European Union, Oxfam and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), DAI-Taabir, Hans Siedel Foundation and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Unit involves the development partners in the capacity building programs for Members of Senate of Pakistan, parliamentary staff and Senate Standing Committees. The Senate Secretariat is institutionalising working relationships with the developmental partners through signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs). In addition, the PMU is looking after the administrative strategic plan of the Senate Secretariat. Coordination and cooperation with the following developmental agencies/partners were made during the year 2020 especially during the challenging and restricted circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
HANNS SIEDEL FOUNDATION
The Senate of Pakistan has working relationship with the Hanns Siedel Foundation. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the H.S.F for technical cooperation and capacity building of parliamentarians and parliamentary staff in Senate of Pakistan, 2020. The purpose of the MOU was to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate and strengthen collaboration between the Parties, on a non-exclusive basis, in strengthening the Parliamentary role, functions and outcomes of the House, Committees and its Members.
From 18 to 20 November 2020, the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Pakistan supported bilateral online discussions on constitutional structures and processes. Dr. Michel heads the Joint Office of the Committees on Labor, Integration and Social Policy and on Family and Senior Citizen Affairs of the Bundesrat. The online discussions included a short presentation by Dr. Michel exploring the dynamics of the German federal system followed by question and answer sessions by the Secretariat level delegation from the Senate Secretariat.
Pakistan and EU Fighting Climate Change together: Virtual Senate Delegation Trip:
The Senate Project Management Unit in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Pakistan and HSF Brussels organized a virtual delegation trip for Senators to the European Union (EU) on sustainable development including climate change on 27 and 29 January 2021.
The first day of the virtual delegation trip included an online discussion between the Senate delegation and the European External Action Service (EEAS) on the topic of “Climate change and sustainability – challenges and opportunities in the EU and Pakistan”. The Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, Senator Sitara Ayaz, represented Pakistan‟s side and briefed the participants about the initiatives of the Government of Pakistan to address challenges of climate change and ensure sustainability including the Ten Billion Trees Tsunami Program and Pakistan Clean Green Index. Dr. Markus Ehm, the Resident Representative of HSF Brussels, discussed the EU‟s Green Deal aiming to make Europe the world‟s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Mr. Dietmar Krissler, Head of Division Afghanistan & Pakistan at EEAS, discussed with the participants about the EU‟s environmental policies and cooperation with Pakistan, including conservational initiatives such as the 10 Billion Trees Tsunami Program, the ban on plastic bags, and the overall target of net-zero emissions till 2050. It was agreed that there are multiple avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and the EU in terms of climate change and sustainability, especially with regard to implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and provisions of the 2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25). Senator Sitara Ayaz also stressed that more regional cooperation in South Asia is the need of the hour to tackle common environmental issues.
The second day of the virtual delegation trip included bilateral interactions between the Senate delegation and the Directorate-General for Climate Action at the European Commission. The Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, Senator Sitara Ayaz, represented Pakistan‟s side and briefed the participants about the initiatives of the Government of Pakistan to address challenges of climate change and ensure sustainability. Ms. Elina Bardram, Acting Director, International and Mainstreaming and Policy Coordination, Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA), European Commission stressed on the importance of global cooperation to overcome the climate challenge. Ms. Bardram also highlighted the salient features of EU‟s green growth model and possible avenues of cooperation with Pakistan especially when it comes to renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change adaptation. Senator Naseebullah Bazai remarked that the Ten Billion Trees Tsunami Program by the Government of Pakistan had transformed the land uses in affected areas and had captured the public interest at home and abroad. He also hoped that such bilateral engagements between European and Pakistani stakeholders are continued in the future as well. It was agreed that there are multiple avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and the EU in terms of climate change and sustainability, especially with regard to implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and provisions of the 2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25).
Support to Committees and Human Resource Management Review
Similarly, the Senate Secretariat with the support of HS-Pakistan hired services of a consultant for carrying out following tasks:-
Assistance in identifying gaps and formulating strategies for reforms in the Parliamentary Committees‟ System
Assistance in planning and implementation of Outreach Strategy
Assistance in carrying forward agenda of Hon. Chairman Senate for inclusive decision making at national and international levels
Assistance in creating linkages with the National and International Parliaments/institutions
Assistance in establishment of One Widow Facility in the Senate for media, civil society, think tanks, academicians and other stakeholders.
HSF-Pakistan supported Senate Secretariat in carrying out Human Resource Management Review by providing a technical consultant for HR and Finance with the following To Rs:-
To undertake the institutional review to assess the maturity, effectiveness and sustainability of existing HR processes of Senate Secretariat inclusive of (i) Workforce Planning’; (ii) Talent Management; (iv) Training (v) Performance Management; (vi) Reward; (vii) staff engagement and (viii) existing Rules and Policies and to suggest such revisions and practical steps to capture efficiencies to an optimal level within the organization.
Suggest mechanisms to bring in more transparency and accountability in teh financial management/systems of the Secretariat
Review the Financial Rules to bring them in line with the international Parliamentary practices.
Review of existing organizational design/organogram of Senate Secretariat
Design mechanism for rationalization of employees
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP)
The Senate PMU is working with UNDP, along with Democracy Reporting International, on the production of brief business continuity assessment studies related to the existing legal frameworks, infrastructure, and potential capacity-related needs of Pakistan‟s legislative houses. These studies are intended to be a snap-shot of issues for consideration in order for each legislative house to determine issues and needs required for implementation in the future. These studies are envisioned to assist in outlining considerations related to parliamentary business continuity and identify initial gaps/needs of the legislative houses which could then be used as a basis to assist in the implementation thereof. The first phase of study is in progress, which will lay the foundation for future partnership related to implementation of business continuity action areas, in addition to being a part of future discussions and broader initiatives related to developing digital transformation priorities of the Senate, and government at large.
OXFAM:
Oxfam, Islamabad is also one of the Developmental partners of Senate of Pakistan. In order to provide technical assistance to the Senate of Pakistan, the Senate of Pakistan inked an Memorandum of Understanding with Oxfam Islamabad in March 2020. Accordingly, as part of parliamentary outreach program, the Oxfam and Senate Secretariat, in order to provide access to information and technology, provided 60 laptops for the youth of Balochistan, specially belonging to less developed areas. Oxfam also extended technical support in the project for area Networking in the newly acquired building of C-Block, Islamabad during 2020.
WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY:
Westminster Foundation is one of the development partners of Senate of Pakistan, which has been engaged with the Senate of Pakistan in facilitating legislative strengthening, secretariat capacity initiatives, members orientations, international conferences on parliamentary functions, technical assistance to various committees etc since 2012. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, engagement with the Senate Secretariat remained very limited. For the 2020-21 the Senate Secretariat is coordinating with the WFD a structural program for support in the area of Delegated Legislation and Information Technology for digitalisation of e-legislative process in emergency times as was confronted during the first and second waves of Covid-19 pandemic.
ADMINISTRATION BRANCH
Following activities were undertaken by the Administration Branch during the Parliamentary Year 2020-2021
- Replacement of Carpet: In order to ensure health safety of the members of Senate and Secretarial Staff during Senate Session, the old carpet of Senate Hall, Galleries and SIS Booths, which could be a potential source of spreading of Covid-19, was replaced after 25 years.
- Special measures under Covid-19: Special preventive measure including provision of sanitizers, masks, hand gloves etc. under COVID situation were taken to ensure the safety and health of the Members of Senate, Staff and Media persons during the Session/Committee meetings.
- Renovation in Chairman office: Complete renovation of Visitors‟ room and Retiring room with new furniture and fixtures.
- Renovation of Deputy Chairman’s Office. The Hon. Deputy Chairman Senate is being provided with a centrally placed and spacious office along with a separate staff accommodation.
- Renovation of Senators Services Centre and Senate Members‟ Library are alos under process.
- Renovation / Maintenance at Block-C.
- External paint of entire building
- Replacement of ceiling / whitewash
- Renovation work of community wash rooms
- Installation of 75 new reversible Inverter ACS
- fixing of tiles
- Shifting of offices / Branches from Basement Area to upper floors of Parliament and Block-C, G-5, Islamabad. Quantitative data is as under:-
Staff moving to Block-C | : | 124 | |
Staff moving within Parliament Building : | 72 | ||
Total | : | 196 |
- Security Measures Deployment of Frontier Constabulary, Security Cameras, flood lights, barbed wires at Block-C for better night vision and surveillance and protection and safety of Chairperson Committees and staff members.
- Groups/Universities/Schools/Organizations visited Parliament House.
Sr. No | Dated | Name of groups/individual | Number of | |||||||||||
Participants | ||||||||||||||
1. | 26-02-2020 | Students/Faculty Members from Govt. Degree | 87 | |||||||||||
College, Kharan & Govt. Higher Secondary School, | ||||||||||||||
Washuk, Balochistan | ||||||||||||||
2. | 05-03-2020 | Students/Faculty Members from Govt. Degree | 33 | |||||||||||
College Khuzdar, Balochistan | ||||||||||||||
3. | 17-09-2020 | Students/Faculty | Members | from | Various | 40 | ||||||||
Universities/Colleges | ||||||||||||||
4. | 26-10-2020 | Delegation from Hyderabad Chamber of Small | 16 | |||||||||||
Traders & Small Industry | ||||||||||||||