ISLAMABAD, February 8, 2016: Starting 97 minutes behind the schedule, the seventh sitting of the ongoing 19th Punjab Assembly session debated grievances of sugarcane growers and issues pertaining to the agriculture sector, says Free and Fair Election Network in its daily factsheet

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for four hours and 55 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1537 hours against the scheduled time 1400 hours.
• The House had a prayer break for 21 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was not present.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 116 minutes.
• 14 MPAs (4%) were present at outset and 18 (5%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leader of JI and PPPP were present.
• Seven minority members were present.

Output

• The House unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn attack on media houses.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Twenty-two lawmakers – PML-N (15), PTI (4), PML (2), and PPPP (one) – took part in the debate about grievances of sugarcane growers and issues pertaining to the agriculture sector for 121minutes.
• The government orally responded to 13 out of 26 starred questions appearing on agenda. In addition, lawmakers asked 26 supplementary questions.
• The House took up two calling attention notices regarding law and order situation.
• Sponsored by PML-N lawmaker, the House discussed two adjournment motions regarding traffic issues in Lawrence Garden Lahore and import of commodities having prohibited elements like wine.

Order and Institutionalization

• Fifteen Points of Order consumed 17 minutes of the proceeding.

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.