ISLAMABAD, June 22, 2012: Starting an hour and 30 minutes behind schedule, the 14^th sitting of 38^th session of the Punjab Assembly witnessed low attendance as only five Members (one % of the total membership of 369) were present at the start of the sitting and 70 were there when it was adjourned.

The Quorum was visibly lacking at various stages during the sitting. The lack of Quorum was pointed out by an Independent. The Chair rung the bells for five minutes, but due to persistent lack of Quorum the sitting was adjourned.

The sitting witnessed two walkouts by PPPP and PMLN Members. Both the walkouts were related to the incident that occurred in yesterday’s sitting.

Six Members – four PMLN and two PMLN – debated the Supplementary Budget 2011-12 for 58 minutes (41% of the sitting time).

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 20 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1030 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 0900 hours. The proceedings started an hour and 30 minutes late.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• Only the parliamentary leader of PML and MMAP was present while the leaders of PMLF and PMLZ were absent.
• Only five Members (one% of the total Membership of 369) were present at the start while 70 (19%) were there when the sitting was adjourned.
• Three minority Members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Six Members – four PMLN and two PMLN – debated the Supplementary Budget 2011-12 for 58 minutes (41% of the sitting time).

Output

• No Bills appeared on the Orders of the Day.

Order and Institutionalization

• One Point of Order consumed two minutes of the sitting time.

• The sitting witnessed two walkouts by PPPP and PMLN Members. Both the walkouts were related to the incident that occurred in yesterday’s sitting.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to legislators, observers and others.
• Information on Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
• The Quorum was visibly lacking at various stages during the sitting. The lack of Quorum was pointed out by a Independent. The Chair rung the bells for five minutes, but due to persistent lack of Quorum the sitting was adjourned.

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