ISLAMABAD, June 21, 2013: Twenty-one members took part in the general discussion on budget during the third sitting of the second session on Friday. Starting 35 minutes behind schedule, the sitting met for three hours.

A PPPP MPA opened the second day of debate on the provincial budget speaking for ten minutes. Twelve PMLN legislators expressed their views on budget for an hour and 15 minutes, followed by six PTI members (43 minutes), a JI member (12 minutes) and an independent MPA spoke for two minutes.

The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition and the Provincial Minister for Finance attended the proceedings. None of the Parliamentary leaders of PML, PMLZ and PPPP were present. The only MPA of BNAP was also absent.

Lawmakers spoke on 15 points of order consuming ten minutes of the sitting’s time.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for three hours.
• The sitting started at 0935 hours against the scheduled starting time of 0900 hours, witnessing a delay of 35 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• A total of 44 members were present at the outset while 87 were there at the adjournment of the proceedings. A maximum of 154 members were present at one point of sitting.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 35 minutes.
• None of the Parliamentary leaders of PML, PMLZ and PPPP were present. The only MPA of BNAP was also absent.
• The Minister for Finance attended the proceedings for an hour and 35 minutes.
• Four minority Members were present.
• None of the members applied for leave.
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• A PPPP MPA opened the second day of debate on the provincial budget speaking for ten minutes. Twelve PMLN legislators shared their view for an hour and 15 minutes, followed by six PTI members (43 minutes), a single MPA of JIP (12 minutes) and an independent MPA spoke for two minutes. 
  

Order and Institutionalization

• Fifteen Points of Order were raised consuming ten minutes of the sitting time.
• There were no instances of protests, boycotts or walkouts.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
• Copies of the budget speech were available to the legislators.

 

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