Punjab PA Adopts Resolution to Condemn Charsadda Attack

ISLAMABAD, January 29, 2016: Starting 142 minutes behind its scheduled time, the Provincial Assembly of Punjab unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday to condemn terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University during first sitting of its 19th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

  • The Punjab Assembly met for 2 hours and 24 minutes.
  • The sitting started at 1622 hours against the scheduled time of 1400 hours.
  • The House had a prayer beak for 24 minutes.
  • 42 (11%) lawmakers were present at the start and 37 (10%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
  • A maximum of 102 (28%) members attended the sitting.
  • The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
  • The Deputy Speaker was absent.
  • The Chief Minister was absent.
  • The Leader of Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 31 minutes.
  • Only the Parliamentary Leader of PPPP attended the sitting.
  • Seven minority members attended the sitting.

Output

  • The House unanimously adopted a joint resolution to condemn terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University, Charsadda on January 20, 2016. The resolution was bought as supplementary agenda item.
  • Nine ordinances appearing on the agenda were not taken up by the House.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The House took up eight out of 21 starred questions, six of which were responded to by relevant ministry and two were disposed of by the House. Lawmakers also asked 16 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

  • Members spoke on nine Points of Order consuming 18 minutes of the proceeding.
  • The opposition parties protested on floor of the House against the attitude of Speaker for now allowing Leader of the Opposition to speak on a Point of Order. The protest continued for five minutes afterward the opposition walked out at 1650 hours and returned to the House 25 minutes later.

 Transparency

  • ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
  • The attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

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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.