National Assembly. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD:
In the second parliamentary year of the 16th National Assembly, which concluded on Tuesday, lawmakers passed 46 bills into law — 40 government bills and six private members’ bills. The House also adopted 27 resolutions during the period.
In total, 159 bills were introduced during the year. Of these, 59 government bills were tabled in the National Assembly, while 14 were received from the Senate.
The NA held 11 sittings and three joint sittings during the year, completing 130 working days with a total duration of 237 hours and 36 minutes. Under its oversight function, members asked 7,625 questions, of which 1,710 were answered on the floor of the House.
Members submitted 329 calling attention notices, 49 were taken up for discussion. Fifteen adjournment motions were moved; 13 were rejected.
Of 33 privilege motions, six were referred to standing committees, 18 remain under consideration, six were rejected, and two were withdrawn. Under Rule 259, 263 motions were received, four were included in the Order of the Day and three were debated.
During the FY2025-26 budget session, the annual budget was debated in detail.
For the first time in parliamentary history, a joint committee comprising members of the finance committees of both houses was formed to conduct a detailed review of the Finance Bill. The committee presented its recommendations after thorough deliberations.
Key legislation during the year included the 27th Constitutional Amendment and amendments to the Pakistan Army Act 1958, among other important laws.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq presided over proceedings, facilitating dialogue between the government and opposition on matters of national importance.
Efforts were made to strengthen Question Hour to ensure ministerial accountability, including summoning relevant secretaries where answers were not provided.
Parliamentary forums such as the Women Parliamentary Caucus, Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, Young Parliamentarians Forum, and the Parliamentary Task Force on Sustainable Development Goals were activated to promote inclusive governance.
These forums organized policy dialogues, legislative workshops, public consultations and international engagements, with provincial caucuses established to expand outreach.
The speaker also advanced parliamentary diplomacy, participating in a conference in Türkiye in solidarity with Palestine and presenting Pakistan’s stance.
He undertook official visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, attended the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva.
