ISLAMABAD, September 29, 2021: The Punjab Assembly was adjourned without addressing legislative agenda on Wednesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during the fourth sitting of 35th session:

Members’ Participation

• The House met for an hour and 16 minutes.
• The sitting started at 04:22 pm against the scheduled time of 02:00 pm.
• The speaker presided over the sitting for 50 minutes while the remaining sitting was chaired by a member of panel of chairpersons.
• The deputy speaker was not present
• The leaders of the House (Chief Minister) and the opposition did not attend the sitting.
• As many as 40 MPAs (11 percent) were present at the outset and 38 (10 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leader of PPPP attended the proceedings.
• One out of eight minority lawmakers attended the sitting.

Output

• The House did not consider three bills including the Lahore Ring Road Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Punjab Commission for Regularization of Irregular Housing Schemes Bill, 2021and the Punjab Commission for Regularization of Irregular Housing Schemes (Amendment), Bill 2021.

Representation and Responsiveness 

• The House took up four out 35 starred questions. In addition, lawmakers asked nine supplementary questions.
• Minister for law responded to an adjournment motion regarding imposition of entry tax on animals in cattle markets.
• Another adjournment motion of a PML-N lawmaker was deferred due to ministerial absence.

Order and Institutionalization

• PML-N lawmakers pointed out the quorum twice but it was found complete upon counting on both occasions.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 02:00 pm.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available on Assembly’s website.
• Information on Members’ attendance is available on Assembly’s website.

This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by SANGAT Development Foundation, a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted