ISLAMABAD, June 9, 2012: The Provincial Minister for Finance presented the budget during the fifth sitting of the 38^th session of the Punjab Assembly on Saturday. Starting 45 minutes late, the sitting lasted an hour and 40 minutes.

The budget speech attracted more Members to the House as 234 legislators were present at the outset of the sitting and 186 when it was adjourned. The Punjab Assembly is the largest legislature in Pakistan with a current total membership of 369.

The Minister for Finance presented the Annual Budget Statement. He spoke for an hour and 20 minutes. Some Members complained that they did not receive a copy of the budget speech.

PPPP Members were wearing black arm bands in protest against the death of seven newborns in a fire in the Services Hospital in Lahore.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and 40 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1645 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 1600 hours. The proceedings started 45 minutes late.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting. The Deputy Speaker was also present.
• The Chief Minister attended the sitting for an hour and five minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was there for an hour and 35 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML, MMAP and PMLF were present while the leader of PMLZ was absent.
• A total of 234 Members (63% of the total Membership of 369) were present at the start while 186 (50%) were there when the sitting was adjourned.
• Seven minority Members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Minister for Finance presented the Annual Budget Statement. He spoke for an hour and 20 minutes.

Output

• There was no other formal agenda on the Orders of the Day.

Order and Institutionalization

• No Points of Order were raised during the sitting.

• PPPP Members were wearing black arm bands in protest against the death of seven newborns in a fire in the Services Hospital in Lahore.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to legislators, observers and others.
• Information on Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
• Some Members complained that they did not receive a copy of the budget speech.

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