ISLAMABAD, May 17, 2016: The Punjab Assembly adopted four private members’ resolutions on Tuesday during eighth sitting of its 21st 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 two hour and 52 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1116 hours against the scheduled time 1000 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for 70 minutes followed by a member of the Panel of Chairpersons who presided over for 12 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the sitting.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 87 minutes.
- 17 MPAs (4%) were present at outset and 12 (3%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and JI attended the sitting.
- Four minority members were present.
Output
- The House adopted four resolutions urging the government to provide missing facilities to all Rural Health Centers and Basic Health Units, ensure free diagnosis, treatment and awareness of cervical cancer, curb the sale of substandard cotton seed and pesticides and take strict action against producers and sellers of substandard drinks. These resolutions were moved by three different lawmakers belonging to PTI.
- The House deferred two resolutions while another two were dropped due to absence of relevant lawmakers.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Twelve out of 30 starred questions were taken up and responded to by the government while one questions was disposed of. The lawmakers asked also 25 supplementary questions.
- The House deferred four matters of public importance raised during Zero Hour while a matter regarding provision of jute bags was referred to the relevant standing committee for its
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on 16 points of order consuming 28 minutes of the proceeding.
- The House referred a privilege motion of PML-N lawmaker to the relevant committee.
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.
