ISLAMABAD, March 18, 2014: The Punjab Assembly adopted five resolutions on Tuesday during the eighth sitting of ongoing 7^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The sitting was marked by low attendance as maximum 70 (19%) members were found present during the proceedings. The legislators, through the first resolution, called upon the government to ensure that no advertisement of any residential scheme appeared in the media without the NOC issued by concerned TMOs, DCOs or development authorities.

The House also adopted two resolutions urging government to provide life support and fire safety training at educational institutions and legislate on corporal punishment. In another resolution, the Assembly condemned the terrorist attack on District Courts, Islamabad. The legislators also recommended federal government to issue blue passports to the members of Provincial Assembly of Punjab.

The provincial agriculture minister responded to eleven out of 26 total starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The members asked 21 supplementary questions as well.

The House also took up three adjournment motions regarding medical colleges, substandard food items and government control on private educational institutions. The assembly referred a privilege motion to the relevant committee while two others were deferred.

The members belonging to opposition parties staged a 9-minute long walkout against government’s failure to ensure law and order and stop rape incidents.

The lawmakers also raised fifteen points of order consuming 28 minutes of the proceedings. A PTI lawmaker tried to point out quorum six minutes prior to the adjournment of the sitting, however, the chair did not respond to it.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 35 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1110 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 10 minutes.
• A total of 20 members were present at the start and 58 at the adjournment while a maximum of 70 at a point during the proceedings.
• The Deputy Speaker chaired the entire sitting as the Speaker was absent.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours and two minutes.
• The parliamentary leader of PPPP attended the sitting.
• Four minority members were present.
• Fourteen members applied for the leave.

Output

• The Punjab Assembly adopted five resolutions. The House called upon the government to ensure that no advertisement of any residential scheme appeared in the media without the NOC issued by concerned TMOs, DCOs or development authorities. The House also adopted two resolutions urging government to provide life support and fire safety training at educational institutions and legislate on corporal punishment. In yet another resolution, the Assembly condemned the terrorist attack on District Courts, Islamabad. The legislators also recommended federal government to issue blue passports to the members of Provincial Assembly of Punjab.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The provincial agriculture minister responded to eleven out of 26 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The members asked 21 supplementary questions as well.
• The House also took up three adjournment motions regarding medical colleges, substandard food items and government control on private educational institutions.
• The Assembly referred a privilege motion to the relevant committee while two others were deferred.

Order and Institutionalization

• The members belonging to opposition parties staged a 9-minute long walkout against government’s failure to ensure law and order and stop rape incidents.
• The lawmakers also raised fifteen points of order consuming 28 minutes of the proceedings regarding law and order.
• A PTI lawmaker tried to point out quorum six minutes prior to the adjournment of the sitting, however, the chair did not respond to it.

Transparency

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

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