ISLAMABAD, May 26, 2016: The Punjab Assembly passed two government bills on Thursday during 15^th and last sitting of 21^st session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The session was prorogued after conclusion of its business.

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for an hour and 49 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1110 hours against the scheduled time 1000 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for 55 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceeding.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 20 minutes.
• 30 MPAs (8%) were present at outset and 40 (11%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• None of the parliamentary leaders attended the sitting.
• Five minority members were present.

Output

• The House passed the Punjab Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Fatima Jinnah Medical University Lahore (Amendment) Bill 2015.
• The Provincial Law Minister introduced the Punjab Poultry Production Bill 2016 before the House.
• The Standing Committee on Local Government presented its report on Bill No. 21/2016.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The government responded to seven out of 14 starred questions appearing on the agenda while four others were deferred and three were disposed of due to absence of the relevant lawmakers. The lawmakers also asked 18 supplementary questions.
• The House deferred two Adjournment Motions (AM) regarding shortage of medicines in teaching hospitals of Lahore and inflation.
• The government replied to a Calling Attention Notice regarding a murder in Lahore.
• The House deferred two notices on matters of urgent importance raised during Zero Hour.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers spoke on four points of order consuming as many minutes of the proceeding.
• Two lawmakers belonging to PPPP and PTI pointed out quorum twice during the proceeding at 1207 hours and 1232 hours. It was found lacking on headcount on both occasions but was completed after ringing the bells for five minutes.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• The attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

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The daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are regretted.