ISLAMABAD, February 20, 2018: The Punjab Assembly adopted two private members’ resolutions sponsored by PML-N lawmakers and rejected a PTI lawmaker’s resolution on Tuesday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during 15^th sitting of the 34^th session:

Members’ Participation

• The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and 55 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1046 hours against the scheduled time 1000 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was not present.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 33 minutes.
• As many as 16 MPAs (4%) were present at outset and 28 (8%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leader of JI was present during the proceedings.
• As many as six minority lawmakers attended the sitting.

Output

• The House adopted two private members’ resolutions sponsored by PML-N lawmakers recommending the government to ensure ban on the use of prohibited injections administered to buffaloes for increasing milk production, and extend the period of validity of official passports provided to the Members of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab to five years.
• The House rejected a PTI lawmaker’s resolutions recommending to construct new water reservoirs to support agriculture sector as well as produce hydel energy.
• A PML-N lawmaker withdrew her resolution recommending the merger of Fire Brigade service with Rescue 1122.
• The House deferred a resolution seeking reversal of increase in the drugs’ prices.

Representation and Responsiveness

• As many as 12 out of 20 Starred Questions were taken up for answers during the proceedings while eight Starred Questions were disposed of due to absence of the concerned lawmakers. The lawmakers also asked 29 supplementary questions.
• The House deferred a PTI lawmaker’s Adjournment Motions (AMs).
• The Parliamentary Secretary for Health made a statement on a Zero Hour notice moved by a PPPP lawmaker.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers raised 19 Point of Order consuming 22 minutes of the proceedings.
• The House was adjourned to meet again at 0900 hours on Friday.

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.