ISLAMABAD, March 14, 2014: The Punjab Assembly visibly lacked quorum during sixth sitting of the ongoing 7^th session on Friday, however, it was not pointed out by any of the legislators, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The lawmakers discussed the incident of self immolation of a rape victim in Muzaffargarh while speaking on eleven points of order consuming eighteen minutes of the proceedings. The opposition legislators except those belonging to JI staged a token walkout for two minutes against the incident.

The government presented the annual reports of the Punjab Pension Fund for the years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.

The provincial minister for communication and works responded to 12 of 34 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). Five of the starred questions were disposed of, two deferred while the others could not be taken up. The members also asked 29 supplementary questions.

The House took up two privilege motions, as well. The Leader of the Opposition along with 25 other opposition members argued that they were denied representation in the District Coordination Committees despite assurances of the government. Their privilege motion was referred to the relevant committee. A privilege motion of PML-N lawmaker regarding non-cooperation of a police officer was deferred.

The House also took up nine adjournment motions; one was answered by the government while the rest were deferred.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 4 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1020 hours against the scheduled time of 0900 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 20 minutes.
• A total of 24 members were present at the start and 56 at the adjournment while a maximum of 82 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 28 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and JI attended the sitting.
• Four minority members were present.
• No member applied for the leave.
  

Output

• The government presented the annual reports of the Punjab Pension Fund for the years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The provincial minister for communication and works responded to 12 of 34 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). Five of the starred questions were disposed of, two deferred while the others could not be taken up. The members also asked 29 supplementary questions.
• The House took up two privilege motions, as well. The Leader of the Opposition along with 25 other opposition members argued that they were denied representation in the District Coordination Committees despite assurances of the government. Their privilege motion was referred to the relevant committee. A privilege motion of PML-N lawmaker regarding non-cooperation of a police officer was deferred.
• The House also took up nine adjournment motions; one was answered by the government while the rest were deferred.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers discussed the incident of self immolation of a rape victim in Muzaffargarh while speaking on eleven points of order that consumed eighteen minutes.
• The opposition members except those belonging to JI staged a token walkout for two minutes against the said incident.

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