ISLAMABAD, April 6, 2016: The Punjab Assembly adopted a government resolution in the absence of the Opposition lawmakers on Wednesday during sixth sitting of its 20th 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 59 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1100 hours against the scheduled time 1000 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours 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 two hours and 22 minutes.
- 14 MPAs (4%) were present at outset and 12 (3%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and JI attended the sitting.
- Four minority members were present.
Output
- Moved by the Provincial Law Minister, the House adopted a resolution – brought as supplementary agenda – applauding the Prime Minister’s announcement to constitute judicial commission to probe into his family’s business in wake of Panama Leaks. The resolution was passed unanimously in absence of the Opposition lawmakers.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The government orally replied to eight out of 33 starred questions appearing on the agenda while four questions were disposed of and two were deferred. The lawmakers also asked 24 supplementary questions.
- The House deferred three adjournment motions.
- The House referred two privilege motions to the relevant committee.
- Fifteen lawmakers spoke during Pre-Budget Discussion that consumed an hour and 51 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on two points of order consuming three minutes of the proceeding.
- The lawmakers belonging to the Opposition protested on floor of the House for eight minutes against the Prime Minister for not stepping down after his family was accused of involvement in offshore companies in Panama Leaks. Later the Opposition walked out from the House at 1239 hours and returned at 1305 hours.
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.