ISLAMABAD, September 14, 2012: Starting 25 minutes behind schedule, the first sitting of 41th session of the Punjab Assembly witnessed low attendance of MPAs with only 12 present at the outset and 32 when it was adjourned.
Two resolutions – one on the factory fires in Karachi and Lahore and the other condemning the airing of an anti-Islam video on social media – were adopted by the House.
The quorum, visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting, was pointed out by a PMLN Member which led to the adjournment of the sitting. Five out of 32 questions appearing on the agenda were taken up.
The House did not debate the creation of new provinces, which was one of items on the agenda. The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
Six Points of Order were raised during the sitting which consumed 10 minutes. None of the Points of Order raised attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and five minutes.
- The sitting started at 1525 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 1500 hours. The proceedings started 25 minutes late.
- The Deputy Speaker chaired the sitting.
- The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition were not present.
- Only the parliamentary leader of the PML was present.
- Twelve Members (3% of the total Membership of 369) were present at the start while 32 (9%) were there when the sitting was adjourned.
- None of the minority Member was present.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Five out of 32 questions appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to by minister.
- The House did not debate the creation of new provinces, which was one of items on the agenda.
Output
- Two resolutions – one on the factory fires in Karachi and Lahore and the other condemning the airing of an anti-Islam video on social media – were adopted by the House.
- The Punjab Metro Bus Authority Bill 2012 was not taken up by the House.
Order and Institutionalization
- Six Points of Order were raised during the sitting which consumed 10 minutes. None of the Points of Order raised attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
- There were no instances of protests, boycotts or walkouts during the sitting.
Transparency
- Orders of the Day were available to Legislators, observers and others.
- Information on Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
- The quorum, visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting, was pointed out by PMLN Member which led to the adjournment of the sitting.
The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization, a member organization of FAFEN