ISLAMABAD, June 26, 2015: The Punjab Assembly adopted a resolution on Friday, calling for investigation into allegations against MQM in a report published by BBC earlier this week, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The sitting started 54 minutes behind the schedule with 22 members (6%) present at the start and 123 (33%) at the time of adjournment. The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting, while the Opposition Leader was present for 55% of the proceedings’ time.

The House approved the supplementary demands for grants and witnessed the presentation of the supplementary schedule of authorized expenditure for the fiscal year 2014-15.

The House rejected two cut motions related to construction of roads and bridges and loans for municipalities/autonomous bodies. Six lawmakers spoke on the latter cut motion for 62 minutes, while one lawmaker discussed the former cut motion for one minute.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 23 minutes.
• The sitting started at 0954 hours against the scheduled time of 0900 hours.
• 22 members (6%) were present at the start and 123 (33%) at the time of adjournment.
• A maximum of 129 (35%) members attended the proceedings.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Speaker was also present.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Opposition Leader was present for 79 minutes.
• The Finance Minister was present for 138 minutes.
• Among parliamentary leaders, only the JI leader was present.
• Six minority members attended the proceedings.
• No member applied for leave.

Output

• The House adopted a resolution tabled by a PTI lawmaker to investigate allegations against MQM in a report published by BBC earlier this week.
• The House approved supplementary demands for grants and witnessed the presentation of the supplementary schedule of authorized expenditure for the fiscal year 2014-2015.
• Two cut motion regarding construction of roads and bridges and loans for municipalities/autonomous bodies were rejected by the House.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House admitted an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition Leader against the printing of Hazara and Saraikistan provinces on Pakistan’s map in Grade 8 geography textbooks.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers raised two points of order that took up two minutes of the sitting.
• A PML lawmaker walked out of the House at 1113 hours for not getting sufficient time to speak on a cut motion. She did not return to the House till the sitting’s adjournment.
• A JI lawmaker staged a token walkout to express reservations against the supplementary demands for grants.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was also available to the observers and the public.

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This 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 excepted.