ISLAMABAD, August 20, 2013: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday adopted two resolutions during the sixth sitting of the fourth session.

Another resolution tabled by a PTI legislator against the drone attacks was put off till the next sitting.

The two adopted resolutions by PML-N MPAs asked the federal government to immediately impose a tax amnesty scheme to attract investment and create jobs and to give Baseerpur city in district Okara the status of tehsil in view of its increasing population.

Eight out of 18 starred questions on the agenda were taken up. Additionally, MPAs asked 13 supplementary questions.

The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present.

The MPAs on the opposition benches attended the proceedings wearing black armbands in protest against the Local Government Bill 2013.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met an hour and 53 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1132 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1000 hours witnessing a delay of an hour and 32 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting.
• A total of 43 Members were present at the beginning, 88 at the end and a maximum 105 at a point during the sitting.
• The PPPP and JI parliamentary leaders attended the proceedings.
• The relevant Minister was present for the Question Hour.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present.
• Five minority Members were present.
• None of the Members applied for leave.

Output

• The House adopted two resolutions tabled by PML-N Members; the first called on the federal government to impose Tax Amnesty Scheme immediately and the other demanded to give Baseerpur city in district Okara status of tehsil. A resolution by a PTI MPA against drone attacks was put off till the next sitting.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• Eight out of 18 starred questions on the agenda were taken up and answered on the floor. Additionally, MPAs asked 13 supplementary questions.
• Four Adjournment Motions were moved during the sitting. They were on the protest by the Joseph Colony residents for not getting compensation for attacks on their houses early this year; a person’s drowning in Nulleh Leh in Rawalpindi; floodwater submerging villages near River Ravi; and increased prices of poultry commodities in Punjab. It took eight minutes to present the motions by PML, PTI and PMLN members.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on five points of order consuming five minutes.
• MPAs belonging to all opposition parties attended the proceedings wearing black armbands to protest against the Local Government Bill 2013.

Transparency

• The Assembly documented the Members’ attendance.

• Information on Members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN, a member organization of FAFEN