ISLAMABAD, June 19, 2014: The Punjab Finance Minister concluded the debate on provincial budget 2014-2015 while the opposition walked out of the House against Lahore incident on Thursday during fifth sitting of 9^th session on Thursday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.

Fifty-four lawmakers, including 35 of PML-N, 17 of PTI, and 2 of PPPP, took part in general discussion on the provincial budget 2014-15. They discussed the budgetary proposals for five hours and 15 minutes. The Finance Minister winded up the debate and spoke for 25 minutes.

The sitting lasted six hours and 35 minutes. Only 37 members were present at the outset while 99 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 120 members were present at one point of sitting.

A PTI legislator pointed out the lacking quorum that led to the suspension of proceedings for 40 minutes. The Speaker chaired the sitting for three hours and 15 minutes while the remaining proceedings were presided over by the Deputy Speaker.

The opposition lawmakers staged a 15 minute long walkout after they were not allowed to discuss the Lahore incident and a calling attention notice on the issue was turned down.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for six hours and 35 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1115 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 15 minutes.
• Thirty-seven members were present at the start, 99 at the adjournment while a maximum 120 at one point during the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for three hours and 15 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 there for 25 minutes.
• The parliamentary leader of JI attended the sitting.
• Five minority members were present.
• None of the member applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Fifty-four lawmakers including 35 of PML-N, 17 of PTI, and 2 of PPPP took part in general discussion on the provincial budget 2014-15. They discussed the budgetary proposals for five hours and 15 minutes.
• The Finance Minister winded up the debate and spoke for 25 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• A PTI legislator pointed out the lacking quorum that led to the suspension of proceedings for 40 minutes.
• The opposition lawmakers staged a 15 minute long walkout after they were not allowed to discuss the Lahore incident and a calling attention notice on the issue was turned down.

Transparency

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

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