ISLAMABAD, March 21, 2014: The Punjab Assembly concluded pre-budget debate for fiscal year 2014-2015 on Friday during eleventh and last sitting of 7^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Forty-six lawmakers took part in the debate and identified weaker areas to focus in the upcoming budget. The members spoke for three hours and 48 minutes. Later, the provincial finance minister concluded the debate, speaking for 16 minutes. He assured the legislators to consider their proposals while finalizing financial planning.

The House took up 12 out of 29 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The parliamentary secretary for planning and development responded to 10 queries while two questions did not receive written replies and were deferred. The members asked 11 supplementary questions.

A lawmaker of PTI staged a token walkout for five minutes against the Chair for not allowing enough time to legislators to speak on the upcoming budget. The lawmakers also raised 9 points of order consuming 5 minutes of the proceedings.

The House deferred six adjournment motions (AMs) as no reply was received from the treasury. However, three AMs moved in the earlier sittings were answered and disposed of.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Punjab Assembly met for seven hours and 17 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1011 hours against the scheduled time of 0900 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 11 minutes.
• A total of 18 members were present at the start, 12 at the adjournment while a maximum of 83 at a point during the proceedings.
• The Deputy Speaker chaired the entire sitting as the Speaker was absent.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• The parliamentary leader of PPPP attended the proceedings.
• Four minority members were present.
• No member applied for the leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Forty-six lawmakers took part in the debate and identified weaker areas to focus in the upcoming budget. The members spoke for three hours and 48 minutes. Later, the provincial finance minister concluded the debate, speaking for 16 minutes. He assured the legislators to consider their proposals while finalizing financial planning.
• The House took up 12 out of 29 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The parliamentary secretary for planning and development responded to 10 queries while two questions did not receive written replies and were deferred. The members asked 11 supplementary questions.
• The House deferred six adjournment motions (AMs) as no reply was received from the treasury. Three AMs moved in earlier sittings were answered and disposed of.

Order and Institutionalization

• A lawmaker of PTI staged a token walkout for five minutes against the Chair for not allowing enough time to legislators to speak on upcoming budget.
• The lawmakers also raised 9 points of order consuming 5 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.