The Punjab finance minister started pre-budget discussion in the Punjab Assembly on Thursday during the second sitting of its 20th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The speaker presided over the entire sitting of the assembly which met for an hour and 32 minutes since the proceedings remained suspended for 54 minutes due to a lack of quorum.
The chief minister and the opposition leader did not attend the sitting, while 20 MPAs (4 per cent) were present at the outset and 90 (24 per cent) at adjournment of the sitting.
The House did not take up the government legislative business appearing on Orders of the Day. Six of the seven starred questions appearing on the agenda were disposed of due to absence of relevant lawmakers while one question was deferred.
The provincial law minister responded to a calling-attention notice while three others were deferred.
The finance minister initiated the pre-budget discussion and spoke for six minutes.
A PTI lawmaker pointed out the lack of quorum at 1131 hours. It was found lacking on headcount and was not completed even after ringing the bells for five minutes leading to the suspension of the proceedings which resumed at 1224 hours. However, the quorum was still incomplete so the sitting was adjourned.
