ISLAMABAD, February 25, 2016: The Punjab Assembly could not hold discussion on Punjab Pension Fund due to lack of quorum on Thursday during 20th sitting of its 19th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and 34 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1141 hours against the scheduled time 1100 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy was not present.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 58 minutes.
- 18 MPAs (5%) were present at outset and 85 (23%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- None of the parliamentary leaders attended the sitting.
- Five minority members were present.
Output
- A member of the Standing Committee on Education presented the reports of the committee regarding three legislative proposals.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The government orally replied to eight out of 16 starred questions appearing on agenda while five questions were disposed of due to absence of relevant lawmakers. The lawmakers also asked 21 supplementary questions. The Chair deferred three questions for answers in a later sitting.
- Provincial Law Minister responded to a Calling Attention Notice submitted by a PTI lawmaker while another CAN was deferred for two weeks.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on nine points of order consuming as many minutes of proceeding.
- A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum at 1308 hours. It was found lacking on headcount and was not completed even after ringing the bells for five minutes leading to the adjournment of the sitting.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- The attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.
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.
