ISLAMABAD, April 2, 2015: The Punjab Assembly continued to witness low attendance on Thursday as 14 (4%) lawmakers were present at the start and 20 (5%) at the end of the fifth sitting of the ongoing 13^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The quorum was visibly lacking during the entire sitting. However, it was not pointed out by any of the lawmakers. The Leader of the House, the Opposition Leader and the parliamentary leaders of all political parties were absent. Six lawmakers participated in the pre-budget debate which consumed 23 minutes of the sitting.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and two minutes.
• The sitting started at 1105 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
• Fourteen members (4%) were present at the start and 20 (5%) at the end of the sitting.
• The Deputy Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Leader of the House and the Opposition Leader were absent.
• None of the parliamentary leaders attended the sitting.
• Four out of eight minority members attended the proceedings.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Fifteen out of 30 starred questions were taken up and responded by the relevant government department. In addition, the MPAs raised 25 supplementary questions.
• Six lawmakers – five from PML-N and one from PPPP – participated in the pre-budget debate for 23 minutes.
• The House took up five adjournment motions regarding dilapidated condition of elementary colleges in Lalamusa, poor condition of Salinity Control and Reclamation Project’s machinery, non-provision of medicines to patients in various hospitals in Lahore, dilapidated condition of a road in Gujrat and delay in renovation of historical buildings.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers raised six points of order that consumed three minutes of the sitting.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.

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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.