As many as 234 members, 63 per cent of the total strength of 369, were present in the House when the proceedings started on Saturday. The number fell to 186 (50 per cent) by the time the session ended.
This was one of the key observations of Free and Fair Election Network about Saturday’s budget session of the Punjab Assembly.
FAFEN noted that the budget speech went on for an hour and 20 minutes. It said the order of the day was available to all legislators and observers. However, it added, no official figure on attendance was available.
Some members were reported to have complained about not receiving a copy of the budget speech. The chief minister attended the session for an hour and five minutes and the Leader of the Opposition for an hour and 35 minutes.
No points of order were raised during the session.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.
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