ISLAMABAD, March 7, 2014: The Punjab Assembly witnessed the introduction of an ordinance in on Friday during the first sitting of 7^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The Law Minister brought the Punjab Public Private Partnership Ordinance 2014 in the House. The Chair referred it to the relevant committee with directions to report back in one month. Another bill included in the agenda was not taken up.

The House also took up eight of the 35 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) directed towards Home Department. The relevant parliamentary secretary responded to the queries. Three of the questions were deferred as their written replies were not received. Additionally, members asked 16 supplementary questions.

A PPPP lawmaker walked out from the House at 1938 hours when the chair refused to allow him to speak on a point of order. The aggrieved member did not return till the adjournment. Later at 1946 hours, all opposition parties also walked out when a PTI lawmaker was denied the floor to speak on Metro Bus Project in Rawalpindi. While leaving, an opposition member pointed out the lacking quorum. The Chair ordered to ring the bells for five minutes. However, finding quorum incomplete on recount, the House was adjourned till Saturday.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 40 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1717 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of two hours and 17 minutes.
• A total of 70 members were present at the start and 78 at the adjournment while a maximum of 134 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 an hour and 16 minutes.
• None of parliamentary leaders attended the sitting.
• Four minority members were present.
• No member applied for the leave.

Output

• The Law Minister laid the Punjab Public Private Partnership Ordinance 2014 in the Assembly. The House referred it to the relevant committee with directions to report back in one month.
• Another bill included in the agenda was not taken up.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House also took up eight of the 35 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) directed towards Home Department. The relevant parliamentary secretary responded to the queries. Three of the questions were deferred as their written replies were not received. Additionally, members asked 16 supplementary questions.
• The government responded to the four adjournment motions.

Order and Institutionalization

• A PPPP lawmaker walked out from the House at 1938 hours when the chair refused to allow him to speak on a point of order. The aggrieved member did not return till the adjournment.
• Later at 1946 hours, all opposition parties also walked out when a PTI lawmaker was denied the floor to speak on Metro Bus Project in Rawalpindi.
• While leaving, an opposition member pointed out the lacking quorum. The chair ordered to ring the bells for five minutes. However, finding quorum incomplete on recount, the House was adjourned till Saturday.
• Members spoke on 15 points of order consuming 12 minutes of the proceedings.

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