ISLAMABAD, June 18, 2015: The Punjab Assembly continued discussion on the Provincial Budget 2015-16 on Thursday, as 39 lawmakers spoke on it for 91% of the proceedings’ time, reports Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The House continued to witness low attendance of lawmakers with only 13 members (4%) present at the start and 12 (3%) at the adjournment of the sitting. The Chief Minister and the Opposition Leader did not attend the proceedings.

Thirty-nine lawmakers – 33 PML-N, four PTI, one PML and an Independent lawmaker – shared their views in 262 minutes.

An Independent lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 1257 hours, following which the Chair directed the bells to be rung for five minutes. However, the quorum was found to be complete upon counting.

Following are some key observations of the assembly business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for four hours and 37 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1052 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
• Thirteen members (4%) were present at the start and 12 (3%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 96 members (26%) attended the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for 140 minutes.
• The remaining time was presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Chief Minister and the Opposition Leader did not attend the sitting.
• The Finance Minister attended the sitting for 275 minutes (99%) of the proceedings’ time.
• None of the parliamentary leader was present.
• Three minority members attended the proceedings.
• No member applied for the leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Thirty-nine members – 33 PML-N, four PTI, one PML and an Independent lawmaker – shared their views on the budget for 91% (262 minutes) of the proceedings’ time.

Order and Institutionalization

• Only one point of order was raised during the sitting.
• An Independent lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 12:57 hours, following which the Chair directed the bells to be rung for five minutes. However, the quorum was found to be complete upon counting.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was also available to the observers and the public.

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This 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 excepted.