ISLAMABAD, February 7, 2014: The Punjab Assembly, on Friday, adopted a resolution appreciating the federal government for initiating peace dialogue with Taliban, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

The resolution, moved by the Leader of the Opposition, was adopted unanimously. The House also witnessed introduction of two bills namely The Punjab Development of Cities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014 and the Lahore Garrison University Bill, 2014. Laid by the provincial law minister, the bills were referred to the relevant standing committees.

The assembly took up 14 of the 29 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) while members also asked 23 supplementary questions. The questions were directed to the ministries of Social Welfare & Baitul Mal, Population Welfare and Information & Culture. Two of the relevant ministers were present to answer the questions. Moreover, three questions directed to Information & Culture ministry were deferred as their written replies were not received.

The Speaker chaired the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was absent.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 25 minutes while it took a prayer break of 40 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1705 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of two hours and five minutes.
• Seventy-five members were present at the start while 35 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 143 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was absent.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the proceedings while the Leader of the Opposition attended the proceedings for an hour and 34 minutes.
• None of the parliamentary leaders attended the sitting.
• Three minority members were present.
• No member applied for leave.

Output

• The House adopted a resolution appreciating the federal government for initiating peace dialogue with Taliban. Sponsored by the Leader of the Opposition, the resolution was unanimously passed by the House.
• The House also witnessed introduction of two bills namely The Punjab Development of Cities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014 and the Lahore Garrison University Bill, 2014. Laid by the Provincial Law Minister, the bills were referred to relevant standing committees.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Assembly took up 14 of the 29 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) while members also asked 23 supplementary questions. The questions were directed to the ministries of Social Welfare & Baitul Mal, Population Welfare and Information & Culture. Two of the relevant ministers were present to answer the questions. Moreover, three questions, directed to Information & Culture ministry, were deferred as their written replies were not received.

Order and Institutionalization

• MPAs raised two points of order consuming thirty seconds of the proceedings.
• There were no incidents of protests, walkouts and boycotts.

Transparency

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

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