ISLAMABAD, August 26, 2015: The Punjab Assembly witnessed thin attendance of lawmakers on Wednesday as the House passed a resolution to pay tribute to former Punjab Home Minister Col (r) Shuja Khanzada and others who fell victim to suicide bomb attack on August 16, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The sitting started two hours and 38 minutes late with 57 legislators (15%) present at the start and 47 (13%) at the time of adjournment. The Leader of the House did not attend the sitting while the Opposition Leader was present for 61 minutes.
The House suspended the agenda on Orders of the Day including presentation of nine ordinances and question hour.
Nineteen lawmakers– PML-N (13), PTI (4), PPPP (one) and an Independent lawmaker–participated in debate on resolution for 91 minutes and paid tribute the Shuja Khanzada and others.
A newly elected PML-N lawmaker took the oath. Following are some key observations from the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings
- The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and 57 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1638 hours against the scheduled time of 1400 hours.
- 57 members (15%) were present at the start and 47 (13%) at the end of the sitting.
- The Deputy Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Leader of the House did not attend the sitting.
- The Opposition Leader was present for 61 minutes.
- Only PPPP parliamentary leader attended the sitting.
- Five out of eight minority members attended the proceedings.
Output
- Tabled by the Provincial Minister for Law, the House adopted a resolution to pay tribute to former Punjab Home Minister Col (r) Shuja Khanzada and others who fell victim to suicide bomb attack on August 16.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to legislators, observers and others.
To download the press release, click here
This 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 excepted.