ISLAMABAD, February 6, 2018: The Punjab Assembly adopted three private members’ resolutions on Tuesday amidst the low attendance of lawmakers, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the House proceedings during seventh sitting of the 34th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 14 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 38 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1141 hours against the scheduled time 1000 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 20 minutes.
- As many as 18 MPAs (5%) were present at outset and 26 (8%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PTI and JI were present during the proceedings.
- As many as six minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
Output
- The House unanimously adopted three private members’ resolutions recommending the government to take strict action against fireworks and aerial firing at marriage functions, provide free transport to elderly and persons with disabilities on Speedo Bus Service and raise public awareness about seasonal influenza. These resolutions were moved by PTI, JI and PML-N lawmakers.
- The House deferred a private member’s resolution on the request of the government and another due to absence of the concerned lawmaker.
- The House granted two-month extension to the Special Committee No. 9 and the Standing Committees on Health and Excise & Taxation for presentation of their reports.
Representation and Responsiveness
- As many as 13 out of 16 Starred Questions were taken up for answers during the proceedings while two Starred Questions were disposed of and one was deferred of due to absence of the concerned lawmakers. The lawmakers also asked 29 supplementary questions.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers raised 12 Points of Order consuming 11 minutes of the proceedings.
- The Chair suspended the proceedings for 38 minutes due to absence of the Secretary, Communication & Works during the Question Hour.
- The House was adjourned to meet again at 1000 hours on Wednesday.
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.