ISLAMABAD, June 18, 2014: Starting two hours behind the schedule, the Punjab Assembly witnessed a walkout and a boycott by the Opposition parties to protest the killings of eight people in Lahore during the 4th sitting of 9th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The Opposition staged a walkout to express dissatisfaction over the statement of the Law Minister on the killings; however, the Opposition Leader returned to the House to announce that the Opposition will boycott the proceedings.
Thirty-six PML-N lawmakers took part in the budget debate that continued for three hours. Tabled by the Law Minister, the House adopted a resolution to support the military operation in North Waziristan.
The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting. However, the Minister for Finance attended the entire proceedings. A total of 81 members were present at the outset and 13 at the end of the sitting. A maximum of 166 members were present at one point during the sitting.
Following are some key observations of the proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The Punjab Assembly met for four hours and 25 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1200 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of two hours.
- Eighty-one members were present at the start, 13 at the adjournment while a maximum 166 at one point during the sitting.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 25 minutes while the remaining proceedings were presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 53 minutes.
- None of the parliamentary leaders attended the sitting.
- Four minority members were present.
Output
- Tabled by the Law Minister, the House adopted a resolution to support the military operation in North Waziristan.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Thirty-six PML-N lawmakers took part in the budget debate that continued for three hours.
Order and Institutionalization
- The Opposition staged a walkout to express dissatisfaction over the statement of the Law Minister on the killings; however, the Opposition Leader returned to the House to announce that the Opposition will boycott the proceedings.
- Six points of order consumed three minutes of the proceedings.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
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The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization, a member organization of FAFEN