ISLAMABAD, February 10, 2014: The second sitting of Punjab Assembly’s sixth session was marked by low attendance of members, as quorum was pointed out and the proceedings were to be adjourned for 40 minutes on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum soon after the start of the sitting. There were only 33 members found present on counting in the House of 371 leading to the suspension of the proceedings after the bells were rung for five minutes. However, the Assembly resumed its proceedings after 40 minutes.

Out of 21 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) on the agenda, six were responded to by the relevant ministries while the rest of them were disposed of as their prime movers were not present. Additionally, the members asked 18 supplementary questions. The questions were responded to by the ministers of special education and labour & human resource.

The House also took up a calling attention notice (CAN) submitted by the Leader of the Opposition regarding details of investigation into an incident of killing in Lahore. The provincial law minister replied to the notice. A CAN of PML-N lawmaker was pended on request of the mover as he could not attend the sitting himself while another CAN of PML lawmaker was disposed of because of his absence.

The Speaker chaired the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was also present.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours and 23 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 40 minutes owing to lack of quorum.
• The sitting started at 1530 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of half an hour.
• Thirty-three members were present at the start while 69 were there at the time of adjournment.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was also present.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the proceedings while the Leader of the Opposition was there for an hour and 28 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and JI attended the sitting.
• Five minority members were present.
• No member applied for the leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• There were 21 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) included in the agenda of which six were responded to on floor of the House while rest were disposed of as their prime movers were not present. The members asked 18 supplementary questions as well. The questions were responded to by the ministers of special education and labour & human resource.
• The House also took up a calling attention notice submitted by the Leader of the Opposition regarding details of investigation into an incident of killing in Lahore. The provincial law minister replied to the notice. A CAN of PML-N lawmaker was pended on request of the mover as he could not attend the sitting himself while another CAN of PML lawmaker was disposed of because of his absence.

Order and Institutionalization

• A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum soon after the start of the sitting. There were only 33 members found present on counting in the House of 371 leading to the suspension of the proceedings after the bells were rung for five minutes. The Assembly resumed its proceedings after 40 minutes.
• MPAs raised six points of order consuming four minutes of the proceedings. They spoke on Chief Minister’s absence, representation of opposition parties in District Development Committees, police performance and provision of published answer to the questions of members one day ahead of the sitting.
• There were no incidents of protests, walkouts and boycotts.

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