Punjab Assembly Fails to Start Debate on Price Control - Press Release issued by Free and Fair Election Network.

Islamabad -- February 21, 2020 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)

Quote

The requisitioned session of Provincial Assembly of Punjab could not start debate on price control and law and order situation due to protest of the opposition resulting walkout by the treasury lawmakers from the House, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Friday.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during first sitting of the 19th session requisitioned by opposition lawmakers:

Members' Participation

The House met for an hour.

The sitting started at 1120 hours against the scheduled time of 0900 hours.

The Deputy Speaker presided over the entire sitting in the absence of Speaker.

The Leaders of the House and the Opposition did not attend the sitting.

As many as 3 (1%) MPAs were present at the outset and 85 (23%) at the adjournment of the sitting.

The parliamentary leader of PPPP attended the proceedings.

As many as four out of eight minority lawmakers attended the sitting.

Output

The House did not take up the government business regarding general discussion on price control and law and orderRepresentation and Responsiveness

The Question Hour was not observed as the Chair allowed the members to speak on points of order during first hour of the sitting.

Order and Institutionalization

As many...