RECENTLY, the Punjab Assembly passed a host of bills in the presence of merely 50 members in a house of 371. The bills, including an important one pertaining to the local governments, were passed without any debate or deliberation, underlining the lack of interest of the lawmakers in the proceedings.

The assembly, the largest such body at the provincial level in the country, has faced frequent criticism for its members’ lack of interest in parliamentary proceedings. Despite the pressing challenges faced by the province, the elected representatives often appear disengaged from the process.

Recent sessions of the assembly have seen poor attendance, frequent walkouts and minimal participation in debates. According to reports, many lawmakers arrive late, leave early, or fail to attend entirely. Often the sessions are adjourned due to a lack of quorum, reflecting the members’ indifference towards their constitutional responsibilities.

This trend raises serious questions about democratic accountability. Voters elect these representatives to voice their concerns, formulate laws, and ensure transparency in the government’s conduct. When members neglect these duties, the democratic process weakens, and public trust in the system erodes. Moreover, some members lack an understanding of parliamentary procedures, which hampers meaningful participation.

The assembly speaker has repeatedly urged the members to take their res-ponsibilities seriously, but these appeals have often gone unheeded. Even the enhancement of their monthly salaries to a whopping level has failed to ensure their attendance. The lack of interest on the part of Pubjab lawmakers in their core legislative functions is a hindrance to effective governance in the province.

In essence, there is an urgent need of positive steps to revitalise parliamentary engagement, otherwise the provincial assembly risks becoming just a symbolic institution, disconnected from the real needs of the people it is meant to serve.

Fawad Hashmey
Lahore

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2025