ISLAMABAD, February 18, 2016: The Punjab Assembly discussed Orange Line Train project on Thursday during 15^th sitting of its 19^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for four hours and six minutes.
• The sitting started at 1054 hours against the scheduled time 1000 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hour and 58 minutes while the Deputy Speaker presided over the rest of the proceeding.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 55 minutes.
• Six MPAs (1%) were present at outset and 14 (4%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• None of the parliamentary leaders attended the sitting.
• Six minority members were present.

Output

• The Provincial Law Minister laid before the House eight audit reports on the accounts of Government of Punjab and its departments and one annual report of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The government orally answered to seven out of 14 starred questions appearing on agenda while seven questions were disposed of due to absence of relevant lawmakers. The lawmakers also asked three supplementary questions.
• The government replied to an adjournment motions submitted by a female lawmaker belonging to PPPP.
• The Provincial Law Minister responded to six Calling Attention Notices as well.
• The House adopted a motion to discuss the Orange Line Train project. Nine lawmakers including the mover spoke on the subject for two hours and 22 minute.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers spoke on 11 points of order consuming as many minutes of the proceeding.
• The Opposition lawmakers protested on floor of the House for one minute when the speech of the Leader of the Opposition was disrupted by the Provincial Law Minister.

Transparency

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

To download the factsheet, click here for English version – click here for Urdu version

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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.