ISLAMABAD, February 7, 2017: The Punjab Assembly adopted two Private Members’ resolutions on Tuesday, urging the government to install water treatment plants and build service roads for bikers, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during 12^th sitting of 26^th session:

 Members’ Participation

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 49 minutes, however, the proceedings remained suspended for 58 minutes due to lack of quorum.
• The sitting started at 1106 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and 17 minutes while a member of the Panel of Chairpersons presided over the rest of the proceedings. The Deputy Speaker was not present.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 20 minutes.
• Seventeen MPAs (4%) were present at the outset and 33 (9%) at the adjournment of sitting.
• The parliamentary leader of PTI attended the sitting.
• Two minority members were present.

 Output

• The House adopted two Private Members’ resolutions, urging the government to install water treatment plants and build service roads for bikers.
• The House deferred three resolutions due to the absence of movers while as many were withdrawn by the movers.
• Standing Committee on Local Government & Community Development presented its report on Bill No. 6/2017.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• As many as eight out of 35 Starred Questions were responded to during the Question Hour. The Chair disposed of five questions due to the absence of movers while it did not take up the remaining questions. The lawmakers also asked 23 supplementary questions.
• The House deferred Zero Hour Notice of a PML-N lawmaker.

 Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers spoke on 10 Points of Order, consuming six minutes of the proceedings.
• A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum at 1131 hours that led to the suspension of proceedings for 58 minutes.

 Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Information on Members’ attendance is available on Punjab 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.