46% Agenda Items Left Over in 9th Session

Share:
     

Highlights

  1. 16 Sittings convened with 45.60% agenda items left over
  2. 9th session lasted 13 hours and 54 minutes over 16 sittings
  3. Eight (8) Government Bills and One (1) Private Member Bill passed

Summary

The 9th Session of the 16th National Assembly saw the passage of eight (8) Government Bills and one (1) Private Member Bill. The session showcased heightened political tensions between the ruling coalition and the opposition with key issues of conflict being related to civil liberties and right to dissent. The session was marked by major political developments including the arrest of MNAs from the Parliament, sparking debate about the sanctity of the premises of the Parliament House. The government’s plan for a proposed 26th Amendment to the Constitution also created significant uproar. Legislation that appeared to target the PTI rallies raised concerns about restricting political expression and citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly. Notably, the Prime Minister did not attend any of the 16 sittings during the 9th Session, leading to criticism.

Working Hours

The 9th Session of the 16th National Assembly was convened on August 26, 2024 and was prorogued on September 16, 2024. Sixteen (16) sittings were held for a total of 13 hours and 54 minutes. The longest sitting of the session was held on September 11, which lasted for 5 hours and 20 minutes, while the shortest sitting on September 15 only lasted for 08 minutes. Schedule of the Sittings is given in Appendix A.

Figure 1: Working Hours

Agenda Items Left Over

46% agenda items were left over during the 9th Session. These included proposed legislations, motions, and calling attention notices. Details of the agenda items left over are given in Appendix B.

Quorum

Quorum was pointed out five (5) times during the session and twice the session was adjourned due to lack of Quorum. Quorum was first pointed out on August 27, 2024 by Mr. Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, MNA (NA-159 Vehari-IV, Punjab, Independent). The count was made and the House was not found to be in order hence the Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, MNA (NA-208 Shaheed Benazirabad-II, Sindh, PPPP) adjourned the sitting of the National Assembly. 173 members were marked as present in the sitting. The second time quorum was pointed out by Mr. Shahid Ahmed, MNA (NA-38 Karak, KP, SIC) on August 30, 2024 and when the count was made, the House was not found to be in order and the Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA (NA-120 Lahore-IV, Punjab, PML-N), suspended the proceeding of the House. When the count was made again, the House was found in order and the sitting was resumed. Third time quorum was pointed out on September 03, 2024 by Mr. Hameed Hussain, MNA (NA-37 Kurram, KP, MWMP) and upon count, the House was not found to be in order and the sitting was adjourned. 223 members were marked as present in this sitting. On September 06, 2024, Mr. Jamshaid Ahmad, MNA (NA-175 Muzaffargarh-I, Punjab, SIC), again pointed out quorum though upon count, the House was found to be in order. The attendance for the day was 173. Similarly on September 10 2024, Mr. Mehmood Khan Achakzai, MNA (NA-266 Killa Abdullah-cum-Chaman, Balochistan, PKMAP) pointed out quorum but the count showed the House to be in order. 215 members had marked their attendance for the sitting.

Attendance

On average, 221 (71%) MNAs were recorded as present in the session. Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, MNA (NA-18 Haripur, KP, Independent), Leader of the Opposition, attended 10 or 62.5% out of 16 sittings during the 9th session. Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, MNA (NA-123 Lahore, Punjab, PML-N), did not attend any sitting of the Session.

Figure 3: Attendance

Top 5 Vocal MNAs

Khawaja Muhammad Asif, MNA (NA-71 Sialkot-II, Punjab, PML-N), Federal Minister for Defence and Aviation, was the most vocal MNA during the 9th session with a recorded talk time of 1 hour and 56 minutes. He was followed by Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, MNA (NA-18 Haripur, KP, Independent), Leader of the Opposition, who spoke for 1 hour and 42 minutes. Mr. Attaullah Tarar, MNA (NA-127 Lahore-XI, Punjab, PML-N), Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, spoke for 1 hour and 18 minutes. Mr. Asad Qaiser, MNA (NA-19 Swabi-I, KP, Independent) spoke for 58 minutes. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, MNA (NA-10 Buner, KP, Independent) spoke for 51 minutes.

Figure 4: Top 5 Vocal MNAs

Legislation

Eight (8) Government Bills and one (1) Private Member were passed. Meanwhile, a total of twelve (12) bills were referred to relevant Standing Committees during the 9th Session of the National Assembly.

Government Bills passed during the Session

Eight (8) Government Member Bills were passed in the 9th Session.

The Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2024 was laid in the House on August 06, 2024 by Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights, on behalf of Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Federal Minister for Interior and referred to the Standing Committee on Interior. The bill aims to update the existing legal framework for local government in the capital. The bill was introduced on the ECP requirement of issuance of notification regarding number of reserved seats for women for Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (MCI) as well as to amend the ICT Local Government Act, 2015. It must be noted that the term of the ICT Local Government had expired on February 14, 2021 and since then the Federal Government has used one or another delaying tactic from holding fresh LG elections in this regard. The committee presented its report on August 26, 2024 after which the bill was passed on the same day. There was a heated debate between the government and opposition members on this bill and it approximately took 45 minutes to pass the bill. The opposition members including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, MNA (NA-10 Buner, KP, Independent), considered it as an action against the PTI in terms of local government elections. The opposition also pointed out that according to the Constitution, the bill at least required 2 days to be passed after Standing Committee report was presented in the House. Assent by the President was given on August 29, 2024 after it was passed from the Senate on August 27, 2024.

The Apostille Bill, 2024 was introduced in the National Assembly on April 19, 2024 and referred to Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on the same day. This removes the requirement for numerous legalizations of foreign public papers to simplify the process of managing these records. With fewer bureaucratic obstacles, Pakistani citizens will profit both at home and abroad since the goal is to streamline and expedite document validation for use in other jurisdictions. The report from the committee was submitted to the House on August 26, 2024. Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights, on behalf of Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Foreign Affairs, moved for the bill to be taken into consideration at once on September 02, 2024. During clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, the opposition protested as they were uncertain about the implementation under the existing legal framework. However, it just took 04 minutes for bill to be passed on September 02, 2024. The bill was passed by the Senate on September 05, 2024 while the date of assent for this bill was September 06, 2024.

The Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Bill, 2024 was introduced in the National Assembly on March 13, 2024 and referred to the Standing Committee on Defence on the same day. The bill aims to regulate the cultivation of cannabis plant, extraction refining, manufacturing and sale of derivatives of the plant for medicinal and industrial use. The committee submitted its report on August 26, 2024. After clause by clause consideration of the bill, it was passed within 03 minutes on September 02, 2024. The bill was reintroduced in the National Assembly on September 13, 2024 after its amended version was passed by the Senate. The Senate’s amendment included adding two senators—one of whom has to be a woman—to the authority’s board of governors. This bill was passed on September 13, 2024.

The Establishment of Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Bill, 2024 was introduced on March 15, 2024 and referred to Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications to further amend the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act-19 and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. The bills seek to establish a specialized appellate tribunal to resolve disputes related to telecommunications. This tribunal is intended to handle appeals against decisions made by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), particularly in cases involving telecom regulations and electronic crimes, which had previously been directed to higher courts, such as the High Courts. The committee submitted its report on the bill on August 26, 2024 and the bill was passed on September 02, 2024.

Privatization Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in the House on March 15, 2024 and referred to the Standing Committee on Privatization. The bill aims to amend the Privatization Commission Ordinance, 2000 in order to streamline and strengthen the privatization process in Pakistan by ensuring greater transparency and accountability. The Standing Committee on Privatization presented its report on August 26, 2024 and the bill was passed on September 02, 2024. The bill was passed by the Senate on September 05, 2024 and received Presidential assent on September 12, 2024.

The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to amend the Elections Act, 2017 as passed by the Senate earlier on August 27, 2024 was presented in the National Assembly on September 06, 2024. One of the primary objectives of this bill is to address the changes that have occurred since the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The bill proposed to remove the acronym “FATA” from relevant sections of the law, aligning it with the new administrative structure following the merger. Another element of this bill was also changing the heading “Qualifications and disqualifications” in Section 132 of the Elections Act, 2017 is amended to the heading “Disqualification on account of declaration by court.” Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, MNA (NA-10 Buner, KP, Independent) raised concerns about the inclusion of the judicial system in this heading. Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the bill, stating that it aimed to bring clarity and uniformity to the disqualification process. Although Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, MNA requested for the bill to be sent to the committee for review, the government proceeded to pass the bill within 11 minutes on September 06, 2024.

The National University of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in the House on April 19, 2024 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Science and Technology. The bill aims to amend the National University of Technology Act, 2018 to addresses an error in the original Act, where the placement of a comma in Section 4 was incorrect. Additionally, it introduces the word “creating” to align with the university’s mission of producing a future-ready workforce. The changes are intended to fine-tune the legal language and better reflect university’s mandate to integrate science, engineering, and technology in its educational and research programs. The committee submitted its report on September 04, 2024 and the bill was passed on September 09, 2024.

Private Member Bills passed during the Session

One (1) Private Member Bill was passed in 9th the Session.

Introduced by Mr. Danyal Chaudhary, MNA (NA-57 Rawalpindi-VI, Punjab, PML-N), The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024 was passed in the National Assembly on September 06, 2024 after swiftly being passed in the Senate a day before. The joint movers of this bill are Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Senator Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui, Senator Umer Farooq and Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari. This bill is designed to regulate public gatherings and protests within the Islamabad Capital Territory. Under this bill, organizers are required to obtain permission from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) at least seven (7) days before any assembly. This application must include details such as the event’s location, the expected number of participants, and its purpose. During the passage of this bill in National Assembly, it faced significant opposition, particularly from the Sunni Ittehad Council members, who argued that the law undermines citizens’ rights to peacefully assemble. They considered this bill as the government’s response to the PTI rally scheduled in the upcoming week. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, MNA (NA-10 Buner, KP, Independent) emphasized that government is trying to take control of the civil liberties of the people and using the Parliament to secure their personal gains.

Ordinances

No ordinance was laid during the 9th Session of the National Assembly.

Resolutions

Three (3) Resolutions were adopted during the Session.

The first resolution was passed during the 9th session on September 3, 2024. It was moved by Ms. Aliya Kamran, MNA (Reserved Seats for Women, JUI-P) and emphasized the urgent need for state-of-the-art healthcare services to ensure high-quality treatment for all patients. The resolution reflected ongoing concerns regarding the state of healthcare facilities in the country and the need for significant improvements to meet public health demands. The resolution was adopted with majority.

The other two resolutions passed in this session were both passed on the same day, September 10, 2024. Mr. Muhammad Moin Amir Pirzada, MNA (NA-234 Korangi Karachi-III, Sindh, MQM), moved the first resolution advocating for the provision of medical, mobile, and motorcycle insurance specifically for food delivery riders associated with platforms like Foodpanda and Bykea. The resolution was adopted with majority. It emphasized that these insurance policies should be implemented through State Life Insurance, with the government bearing all associated costs.

The second resolution of the sitting was moved by Syed Rafiullah, MNA (NA-230 Malir-II, Sindh, PPPP), drawing attention for immediate action to enhance national sports programmes. The resolution was adopted with majority. The resolution emphasized the need for increased funding for the development of athletes and the organization of competitions. This resolution reflects a growing recognition of the significance of sports as a means of promoting health, national pride, and international representation.

Analysis[1]

The 9th session of the National Assembly of Pakistan, held from August 26 to September 16, 2024, was marked by robust legislative activity and intense political debate. This session saw the introduction and passage of several important bills, including those related to electoral reforms and the regulation of public assembly. It also witnessed sharp clashes between the government and opposition parties, particularly on issues such as the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and restrictions on public protests. Throughout the session, opposition parties, particularly Independent and SIC members, raised concerns about the government’s legislative agenda, accusing it of attempting to manipulate the judiciary and curtail civil liberties.

One of the most notable pieces of legislation passed during this session was the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill sought, as stated by the movers, to streamline local governance in Islamabad, intending to enhance administrative efficiency. However, it faced significant opposition, with critics arguing that it centralized power within the federal government at the expense of local autonomy. Opposition members asserted that this move would undermine the democratic process at the local level, emphasizing that it does not empower the local bodies but instead it strips them of their autonomy. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq requested to clarify that there will be no obstacles in the local body polls. The Federal Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights , Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said, “I cannot say whether there will be an election or not. According to Article 140-A of the Constitution, it is the job of the Election Commission to conduct elections.” Mohammad Atif Khan MNA (NA-22 Mardan-II, KP, SIC) said that the federal government had postponed local body elections in Islamabad several times. “An assurance should be obtained from the government that the local body elections will not be delayed any longer,” he added.[2]

Although introduced as a Private Member bill by Mr. Danyal Chaudhary, MNA (NA-57 Rawalpindi-VI, Punjab, PML-N) on September 10 2024, the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aimed to alter the composition of the Supreme Court to, as claimed by the mover, increase its efficiency, the government defended the bill as a necessary reform but it was met with resistance from opposition leaders who warned it could further politicize the judiciary. Concerns were raised about the implications for judicial independence, with Barrister Gohar Ali Khan (MNA (NA-10 Buner, KP, Independent) saying that “changing the composition of the highest court could set a dangerous precedent for the separation of powers.” He also added that “legislation on the number of Supreme Court judges cannot be done through a private member bill.” This apprehension reflected broader anxieties within the political landscape regarding the balance of power among state institutions.[3]

Another significant legislative development was the passage of the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Bill, 2024, which took place on September 13, 2024. This bill signified a progressive shift in Pakistan’s drug policy, aiming to regulate the use of cannabis. Supporters hailed it as an essential step for economic growth and harm reduction, arguing that it would align Pakistan with global trends toward decriminalization. “This is a forward-thinking policy that recognizes the changing attitudes towards cannabis globally,” said Khawaja Muhammad Asif (NA-71 Sialkot-II, Punjab, PML-N), Federal Minister for Defence and Aviation. However, detractors expressed concerns about potential public health risks, illustrating the complexities and challenges associated with drug regulation in Pakistan.[4]

The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024, passed on September 6 2024, aimed to regulate public gatherings and protests. This legislation faced strong backlash from civil rights activists and opposition parties, who argued that it infringed on constitutional rights. Opposition MNA Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, (NA-10 Buner, KP, Independent) declared, “The said piece of legislation is cruel. The government is in haste to pass the bill. The speaker should have referred bill to the standing committee for further deliberation,” revealing the fears that many lawmakers had regarding the suppression of civil liberties amidst an increasingly authoritarian climate in the state. Although members belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) strongly opposed the bill, it was passed by a majority vote. The opposition members protested, chanting “no, no” in the House.[5]

During the Question Hour in various sittings of the 9th session of the National Assembly, there was a noticeable focus on issues related to governance, public services, and the economy. Several MNAs expressed dissatisfaction with the frequent internet slowdowns and the rumours surrounding the implementation of so-called firewalls. The opposition members accused the government of fearing the youth, suggesting that the firewalls were an attempt to suppress online activity. The debate centred on whether the government was implementing new restrictions to limit internet freedom. In response Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar addressed these concerns saying that while efforts were underway to improve the country’s IT infrastructure, no confirmation of a firewall was given. He explained that ongoing issues like fibre optic network challenges were contributing to the slowdowns and that improvements would be seen soon. Additionally, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had been providing VPN services to companies and freelancers affected by these disruptions.[6]

The opposition MNAs, especially Independent members, raised significant concerns regarding the enforced disappearances of their party supporters and other political workers during the session. Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, MNA (NA-18 Haripur, KP, Independent), emphasized that many of the PTI activists had been subjected to abduction-like situations, allegedly at the hands of state institutions, without any legal justification or court proceedings. He called for the formation of a committee to investigate enforced disappearances. MNAs also pointed to the broader issue of enforced disappearances, which has long been a serious human rights problem in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan. They mentioned the protests led by Dr. Mahrang Baloch and urged the government to address the resignation of BNP leader and MNA Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal seriously. The opposition accused the government of using such tactics to silence political dissent, arguing that these disappearances were a violation of fundamental human rights. The PTI representatives, in their interventions during points of order stressed the lack of transparency in addressing the fate of these missing individuals and demanded immediate government action to ensure their safe return.[7]

Furthermore, MNAs raised serious concerns regarding the resurgence of terrorist activities and militancy in Pakistan, particularly focusing on the situation in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Members from both the opposition and government acknowledged the increasing violence in these regions, highlighting the growing threat posed by the re-emergence of militant groups.

Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, also voiced his frustration over the consistent absence of key ministers, a recurring issue that disrupted parliamentary proceedings. Speaker, reflecting the concerns of both opposition and government members, emphasized that the Question Hour serves as a vital platform for members to address constituents’ issues and hold the government accountable. He urged the government to ensure that ministers attend the sessions regularly, pointing out that their absence undermines the purpose of parliamentary accountability.

Arrest of MNAs allegedly from the Parliament Building: A heated discussion unfolded over the arrests of several MNAs from the premises of the Parliament building on September 10, 2024. PTI lawmakers, in particular, raised strong objections, arguing that these arrests were politically motivated and intended to suppress opposition voices. They condemned the actions of law enforcement agencies for violating parliamentary privilege and the sanctity of the Parliament, stressing that the premises of the Assembly should be a secure place for lawmakers to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or detention. In response, the government defended the actions of the authorities, stating that the arrests were made in accordance with legal procedures and that the individuals in question were involved in activities that violated public order and law. Ministers dismissed claims of political victimization, asserting that the government was committed to upholding law and order, regardless of political affiliation. They argued that parliamentary privilege did not extend to criminal behaviour, and the arrests were justified based on the actions of the MNAs outside the Parliament. However, the Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq issued production orders for the MNAs in police custody. Ten MNAs who were arrested during a late-night raid at or near the Parliament House were presented in the National Assembly on September 12, 2024 following the issuance of their production orders.[8]

Another significant incident occurred involving a walkout by the representatives of print and electronic media, following remarks made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mr. Ali Amin Gandapur when on September 8, 2024 he had referred to journalists as “sell-outs” and “brokers” particularly targeting women journalists with vulgar implications. His comments sparked outrage among the media community, leading to protests within both the National Assembly and the Senate. In response to the backlash, members of PTI leadership, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, MNA (NA-10 Buner, KP, Independent) and Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan, MNA (NA-18 Haripur, KP, Independent), visited the media gallery to offer an unconditional apology emphasizing their respect for journalists.[9]

The rumoured 26th Constitutional Amendment package that the government had earlier taken great pains to deny introducing, was finally announced publicly but it could not be laid in the National Assembly due apparently to lack of required numbers for its passage. However, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights, while speaking in the 16th sitting, said that the proposed amendments could not be presented in the Assembly during this session because as, per procedure, they first need to be cleared by the federal cabinet.[10]

Time consumed on discussion of Policy Issues during 9th Session

The quality of the time used during the National Assembly session can be gauged by analysing the time consumed on discussing key policy issues of democratic governance. The time calculated by PILDAT dedicated to discussion on policy issues during the session was 2 hours and 57 minutes.[11]

References  

  1. It must be noted that to inform our analysis, PILDAT’s researchers analyzed live proceedings of the National Assembly and various documents including, but not limited to, the NA’s Daily Journals, Committee Reports and NA Debates. ↑

  2. “NA unanimously adopts ICT Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2024 amid SIC’s opposition,” APP online, August 26 2024, accessed August 28 2024. https://www.app.com.pk/national/na-unanimously-adopts-ict-local-government-amendment-bill-2024-amid-sics-opposition/. ↑

  3. “Bill to increase number of Supreme Court judges presented in National assembly,” Express Tribune online, September 10 2024, accessed September 12 2024. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2495010/bill-to-increase-number-of-supreme-court-judges-presented-in-national-assembly. ↑

  4. “NA passes cannabis control and regulatory authority bill,” Dawn online, September 13 2024, accessed September 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1858765. ↑

  5. “NA passes ‘Peaceful Assembly & Public Order Bill’ amid protest,” Business Recorder online, September 9 2024, accessed September 11 2024. https://www.brecorder.com/news/40321244 ↑

  6. “Internet slowdown, firewall concerns raised in National Assembly,” Express Tribune online, August 26 2024, accessed August 28 2024. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2491178/internet-slowdown-firewall-concerns-raised-in-national-assembly ↑

  7. “Omar Ayub calls for probe committee on enforced disappearances,” The Nation online, September 04, 2024, accessed September 08 2024. https://www.nation.com.pk/04-Sep-2024/omar-ayub-calls-for-probe-committee-on-enforced-disappearances. ↑

  8. “PTI MNAs arrested from Parliament premises produced in National Assembly,” Dawn online, September 12 2024, accessed September 16 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1858522/pti-mnas-arrested-from-parliament-premises-produced-in-national-assembly ↑

  9. “PTI leadership offers unconditional apology over Gandapur’s remarks against journalists,” Express Tribune online, September 09 2024, accessed September 11 2024. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2494776/pti-leadership-offers-unconditional-apology-over-gandapurs-remarks-against-journalists. ↑

  10. “‘Consti­tutional Package’ not tabled in federal cabinet yet, law minister tells NA,” Dawn online, September 16, 2024, accessed September 20, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1859329 ↑

  11. It must be noted that PILDAT has classified that a policy issue is such that involves any legislation or a recommendation on devising a policy. ↑