ISLAMABAD, May 24, 2016: The Punjab Assembly adopted seven resolutions including six Private Members’ resolutions on Tuesday during 13th sitting of 21st session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Punjab Assembly met for three hours and 20 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1105 hours against the scheduled time 1000 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for first 43 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceeding.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 78 minutes.
- 20 MPAs (5%) were present at outset and 12 (3%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leader of JI attended the sitting.
- Five minority members were present.
Output
- A lawmaker belonging to PML-N introduced the Forest (Amendment) Bill 2016.
- The House adopted five regular Private Members’ resolutions urging the government to confer Nishan-e-Pakistan upon Jamat-e-Islami leaders hanged in Bangladesh, establish a university for special persons, ensure the implementation of academic year schedule issued by government, take strict action against illegal ‘lucky committees’ and control artificial inflation before Ramazan.
- The House also passed two supplementary resolutions to condemn US statement on drone strikes in Pakistan and to thank Chinese support for Orange Line Train. These resolutions were moved by the Leader of the Opposition and the Provincial Law Minister respectively. Ten lawmakers discussed the resolution regarding Orange Train for 28 minutes.
- The House granted two months extension to three committees for presentation of their reports.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The government responded to 14 out of 36 starred questions appearing on the agenda while 12 questions were disposed of due to absence of the relevant lawmakers and 10 were deferred. The lawmakers also asked 31 supplementary questions.
- The government made a statement on an Adjournment Motion (AM) regarding shortage of drugs in the markets. Moreover, two AMs were deferred for a later sitting.
- The House also deferred two notices on matters of urgent importance to be discussed during Zero Hour.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on five points of order consuming as many minutes of the proceeding.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- The attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.
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.