Punjab PA maintains pace of legislation in 2020

Treasury, opposition members clash mostly while defending leaders

LAHORE:

Punjab Assembly successfully completed important legislation during 2020 but repeatedly experienced pandemonium caused by members from both the treasury and opposition benches who remained at loggerheads to defend their leaderships from against criticism.

Treasury members claimed credit for the record legislation in Punjab Assembly, while the opposition held government policies responsible for price hike, uncertainty and deterioration of law and order.

Some treasury lawmakers also lamented government policies causing difficulties for the people of the province.

Moreover, Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi came down hard upon ministers and parliamentary secretaries on several occasions over giving unsatisfactory replies to lawmakers' queries. However, this did not save him from opposition's allegations of the proceedings not being run impartially.

The government faced strong criticism from the opposition over alleged false answers by the departments concerned.

The opposition also criticised the government over arrests of Pakistan Muslin League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Delays of hours in start of assembly proceedings remained routine and drew complaints from members.

While heated debates on a wide range of issues were held, the most bitterness among the members was caused over allegations against the top leaders of each other's parties.

The provincial government also made history by summoning the budget session of Punjab Assembly at a hotel. Three large halls of the hotel located adjacent to the assembly building were hired for the session.

The step was taken to avoid the spread of Covid-19 as the assembly hall is insufficient to accommodate the 371 lawmakers while ensuring social distancing.

In a number of instances, the treasury and opposition appeared to be on the same page, especially in approving laws and resolutions relating to religious matters.

Since August 15, 2018, the assembly has held 27 sessions for 157 days.

The government introduced 89 bills, of which 60 were passed. Similarly, 53 private members' bills were received by the assembly secretariat.

Among them, 10 were admitted, five were referred to the house committees concerned, four were disposed of and three were passed.

The members submitted 134 privilege motions, of which 43 were admitted. As many as 38 motions were referred to the privileges committee.

Of the 1,677 adjournment motions submitted, the assembly admitted 564 and disposed of 1,108.

The members submitted 2,057 resolutions, of which 537 were admitted. The assembly passed 81 resolutions.

Of the 711 calling attention notices, 422 were admitted and 289 were disallowed.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2021.