ISLAMABAD, August 19, 2013: The Punjab Assembly on Monday passed the Punjab Animal Slaughter Control (Amendment) Bill 2013 as a committee report on the local government law was presented in the fourth session’s fifth sitting.

Tabled by a PTI MPA, the House also adopted a resolution against the firing on the building of the Express Media Group.

The Speaker chaired the sitting that was delayed by an hour and 42 minutes. The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting. Parliamentary leaders of PPPP and JI attended the sitting while the PML leader was absent.

A Special Committee presented its report before the House on the Local Government Bill 2013.

A PML MPA moved an Adjournment Motion on flood-related problems in the province, especially in Kasur.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and 23 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1642 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1500 hours witnessing a delay of an hour and 42 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting.
• A total of 131 Members were present at the beginning, 101 at the end and a maximum 142 at a point during the sitting.
• The PPPP and JI parliamentary leaders were present while the PML leader was absent.
• The relevant Minister for the Question Hour was present.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• Four minority Members were present.
• None of the Members applied for leave.
  

Output

• The House passed the Punjab Animal Slaughter Control (amendment) Bill 2013.

• A resolution by a PTI MPA condemning the firing on the building of Express Media Group in Karachi was unanimously adopted.  
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• Eight starred questions on the agenda were taken up and received answers on the floor. Additionally, MPAs asked 22 supplementary questions.

• An MPA moved an Adjournment Motion regarding flood related problems in the province, especially in Kasur (PP-140). It took two minutes to move the motions.

• Two calling attention notices on the assassination of an ASI by a proclaimed offender and Rs1.4 million robbery in Model town, Lahore, were brought on the floor by two MPAs.
  

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