ISLAMABAD, February 19, 2018: The Punjab Assembly’s sitting was adjourned on Monday without addressing the scheduled business due to lack of quorum, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the House proceedings during 14th sitting of the 34th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and 47 minutes; however, the proceedings remained suspended for 22 minutes during the Question Hour.
- The sitting started at 1445 hours against the scheduled time 1400 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was not present.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 44 minutes.
- As many as 18 MPAs (5%) were present at outset and 36(10%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of JI and PML-Z were present during the proceedings.
- As many as four minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
Output
- The House did not take up the legislative agenda due to lack of quorum.
Representation and Responsiveness
- As many as six out of 34 Starred Questions were taken up for answers during the proceedings while 10 Starred Questions were disposed of due to absence of the concerned lawmakers. The lawmakers also asked 11 supplementary questions. The Question Hour proceedings remained suspended for 22 hours due to absence of the concerned minister.
- The House deferred two Adjournment Motions (AMs) and as many Call Attention Notices (CANs).
Order and Institutionalization
- A lawmaker raised a Point of Order consuming one minute of the proceedings.
- The opposition lawmakers staged a protest for unsatisfactory replies during the Question Hour.
- A PTI lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 1624 hours. The Chair ordered to ring the bells for five minutes; however, the quorum was found incomplete even after the bells and the sitting was adjourned.
- The House was adjourned to meet again at 1000 hours on Tuesday.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Information on Members’ attendance is available on Punjab Assembly’s website.
The daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are regretted.