ISLAMABAD, June 18, 2014: Starting two hours behind the schedule, the Punjab Assembly witnessed a walkout and a boycott by the Opposition parties to protest the killings of eight people in Lahore during the 4^th sitting of 9^th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The Opposition staged a walkout to express dissatisfaction over the statement of the Law Minister on the killings; however, the Opposition Leader returned to the House to announce that the Opposition will boycott the proceedings.

Thirty-six PML-N lawmakers took part in the budget debate that continued for three hours. Tabled by the Law Minister, the House adopted a resolution to support the military operation in North Waziristan.

The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting. However, the Minister for Finance attended the entire proceedings. A total of 81 members were present at the outset and 13 at the end of the sitting. A maximum of 166 members were present at one point during the sitting.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for four hours and 25 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1200 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of two hours.
• Eighty-one members were present at the start, 13 at the adjournment while a maximum 166 at one point during the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 25 minutes while the remaining proceedings were presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 53 minutes.
• None of the parliamentary leaders attended the sitting.
• Four minority members were present.

Output

• Tabled by the Law Minister, the House adopted a resolution to support the military operation in North Waziristan.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Thirty-six PML-N lawmakers took part in the budget debate that continued for three hours.

Order and Institutionalization

• The Opposition staged a walkout to express dissatisfaction over the statement of the Law Minister on the killings; however, the Opposition Leader returned to the House to announce that the Opposition will boycott the proceedings.

• Six points of order consumed three minutes of the proceedings.

Transparency

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

To download this document, click here

---

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