ISLAMABAD, December 10, 2013: The Punjab Assembly adopted five resolutions amid low attendance, during the 8^th sitting of 5^th session on Private Member’s day, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

Five resolutions – PML-N (three), one each by PTI and JI – regarding the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Jhang, encroachments at a mausoleum, increasing employment quota for special people, UN to take action against Bangladesh for giving punishment to JI leaders and paying tributes to Nelson Mandela on his death, were adopted.

Among the House of 371 MPAs, 36 Members were present at the outset while 35 at the adjournment of sitting. A maximum of 90 Members were observed at any one point of the proceedings. Although quorum was found lacking at various stages, yet, it was not pointed out by any of the Members.

The Speaker did not attend the sitting whereas the Deputy Speaker presided over the entire proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and five minutes.
• The sitting started at 1125 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of one hour and 25 minutes.
• There were 36 Members at the outset and 35 at the adjournment of sitting. A maximum of 90 Members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• The Speaker was not present while the Deputy Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the proceedings while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 60 minutes.
• Only the Parliamentary leader of JI attended the sitting.
• Three Minority Members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Eight out of 18 Starred Questions (requiring oral answers) on the Orders of the Day related to the Prisons Department were taken up. Relevant minister responded to all the taken up questions. Additionally, Members asked 22 supplementary questions.
• The House took up eight Adjournment Motions tabled by Members of PML-N and PTI. Five of the motions tabled by PTI were related to the arrest of terrorists from Punjab University, Lahore graveyards as breeding hub of dengue causing mosquitoes, delay in increments ordered by Supreme Court, rising cases of AIDS among prisoners and delay in allotment of houses under Aashiana Scheme. Members of PML-N tabled three motions about granting university status to College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Jhang, delay of classes in newly constructed Government Guru Nanak Degree College for Women and protection of Quranic verses published in print media.
• Five resolutions – PML-N (three), one each by PTI and JI – were adopted by the House. These were related to granting university status to College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Jhang, encroachments at a mausoleum, increasing employment quota for special people, UN to take action against Bangladesh for giving punishment to JI leaders and paying tribute to Nelson Mandela on his death. Three of the resolutions on domestic women workers, child abuse and education were disposed of.

Order and Institutionalization

• MPAs raised three Points of Order which consumed three minutes of the sitting.
• There were no instances of protests, boycotts or walkouts during the sitting.

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