ISLAMABAD, June 23, 2012: Starting 45 minutes behind schedule, the last sitting of 38^th session of the Punjab Assembly continued to witness low interest of Members in the proceedings as only seven were present at the start while 137 were there when the session prorogued.

The Quorum, visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting, was pointed out twice by two PPPP Members. On the first instance, after count, the Quorum was complete while on the second instance the chair ordered the bells to be rung for five minutes.

The House debated the Supplementary Budget 2011-12. Two PPPP Members spoke for 12 minutes.

A total of 85 Members – PPPP and PML – moved two cut motions on demand nos. 12 and 6.

The PMLN women legislators ended their boycott over the shoe-throwing incident and tussle with the Opposition Benches. They entered the House at 1100 hours and attended the proceedings.

The Chief Minister attended the sitting for only 15 minutes. The Leader of the Opposition, along with all other parliamentary heads, did not attend the sitting.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 25 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1045 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 1000 hours. The proceedings started 45 minutes late.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting.
• The Chief Minister attended the sitting for 15 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was not present.
• None of the parliamentary leaders attended the sitting.
• Only seven Members (2% of the total Membership of 369) were present at the start while 137 (37%) were there when the sitting was adjourned. A maximum of 140 (38%) were present at one point of the sitting.
• Five minority Members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House debated the Supplementary Budget 2011-12. Two PPPP Members spoke for 12 minutes.
• A total of 85 Members – PPPP and PML – moved two cut motions on demand nos. 12 and 6.

Output

• No bills appeared on the Orders of the Day.

Order and Institutionalization

• No Points of Order were raised during the sitting.
• The PMLN women legislators ended their boycott over the shoe-throwing incident and tussle with the Opposition Benches. They entered the House at 1100 hours and attended the proceedings.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to legislators, observers and others.
• Information on Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
• The Quorum, visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting, was pointed out twice by two PPPP Members. On the first instance, after count, the Quorum was complete while on the second instance the chair ordered the bells to be rung for five minutes.

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