Punjab PA Adopts Supplementary Resolution

ISLAMABAD, May 20, 2016: The Punjab Assembly adopted a supplementary resolution besides its regular agenda on Friday during 11th sitting of 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 hours and 37 minutes.
  • The sitting started at 1003 hours against the scheduled time 0900 hours.
  • The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was also present.
  • The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
  • The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 35 minutes.
  • Six MPAs (1%) were present at outset and 60 (16%) at adjournment of the sitting.
  • The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and JI attended the sitting.
  • Five minority members were present.

Output

  • Seven lawmakers discussed the Annual Report of the Parks and Horticulture Authority. The discussion consumed 31 minutes.
  • Moved by the Provincial Law Minister, the House adopted a supplementary resolution to commend the efforts of Counter Terrorism Department against terrorist networks in the province.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The government responded to three out of eight starred questions appearing on the agenda while five questions were deferred on request of relevant parliamentary secretaries.
  • The House deferred three Adjournment Motions (AMs) on request of the government.

Order and Institutionalization

  • The lawmakers spoke on 11 points of order consuming 13 minutes of the proceeding.
  • The sole JI lawmaker staged token walkout for two minutes against the government for not making commitment to ban liquor business.
  • Five female lawmakers belonging to PML-N protested on floor of the House for one minute against misogynistic remarks of JI lawmaker.

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.