ISLAMABAD, December 19, 2019: The Punjab Assembly took up most of its agenda and adopted a supplementary resolution demanding the United Nations to take notice of human rights abuses in India and Occupied Kashmir, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Thursday.
Following are key observations of the House proceedings during second sitting of the 17th session:
Members’ Participation
- The House met for two hours and 22 minutes, however, the sitting remained suspended for 23 minutes due to prayer break.
- The sitting started at 1600 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
- The entire sitting was chaired by two Members of the Penal of Chairpersons in the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
- The Leaders of the House did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the proceedings for 22 minutes.
- As many as 57(15%) MPAs were present at the outset and 55(15%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leader of the PPPP attended the proceedings.
- Four out of eight minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
Output
- Moved by PTI lawmaker, the House unanimously adopted a supplementary resolution urging the Federal Government to approach the United Nations against Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir and its recent legislation about religious minorities.
- The Minister for Law presented two special audit reports on the account of Parks and Horticulture Authority and M.A. Johar Town Housing Scheme which were referred to the Public Accounts Committee.
- The House granted extension in presentation period of report of the Special Committee No. 6 for further two months.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up 16 out of 32 starred questions appearing on list while the lawmakers asked 25 supplementary questions.
- The Minister for Law responded to two Call Attention Notices related to law and order situation in the province.
- The Chair deferred two Adjournment Motions appearing on agenda due to absence of the relevant Ministers.
- The Minister for Law responded to a zero hour notice of a PML-N lawmaker about proposed changes in land and revenue management system in Punjab.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on six Points of Order consuming nine minutes of the proceedings.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on December 20, 2019 (Friday) at 0900 hours.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available on Assembly’s website.
- Information on Members’ attendance is available on 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