Punjab Provincial Assembly skips Scheduled Discussion on Health Issues - Press Release issued by Free and Fair Election Network.

Islamabad -- December 07, 2018 (PPI-OT)

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

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The Punjab Assembly did not hold a scheduled discussion on health issues amidst lack of quorum, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Friday.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during fifth sitting of the ongoing (fifth) session:

Members' Participation

The Assembly met for an hour and 42 minutes, while the sitting remained suspended for 40 minutes due to lack of quorum.

The sitting started at 1023 hours against the scheduled time of 0900 hours.

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

The Leaders of the House and the Opposition were absent.

As many as 45 MPAs (12%) were present at the outset and 90 (24%) at the adjournment of the sitting.

None of the parliamentary leaders attended the proceedings.

Only two out of eight minority lawmakers attended the sitting.

Representation and Responsiveness

The Minister for Special Education made a statement on a PML-N lawmaker's Adjournment Motion (AM) regarding facilities provided to children with special needs in schools.

The Minister for Health moved a motion to discuss the health issues. However, the House did not proceed to the discussion due to suspension of the sitting.

Only three out of 13 Starred questions addressed to the Ministry of Environment Protection were taken up during the proceedings, while one was disposed of due to the absence of the member. The lawmakers asked eight supplementary questions as well. The questions addressed to the...