Second Session of the 16th National Assembly lasted for less than 1 hour

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Highlights:

  1. 10 MNAs-elect administered oath in 2nd Session of the 16th National Assembly
  2. No bill was introduced or passed during the Session
  3. 71.43% agenda items left over in 2nd session
  4. Single sitting of the session lasted 48 minutes

Working Hours

The 2nd Session of the 16th the National Assembly was convened on April 01, 2024 and prorogued on the same day. The session lasted only 48 minutes and began after a delay of 48 minutes.

Agenda Items Left Over

71.43% agenda items were left over in the lone sitting of the 2nd Session. Seven (7) agenda items scheduled for discussion, including issues like smuggling, under-invoicing, and misdeclaration of steel imports. Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs was supposed to lay the Apostille Ordinance while Federal Minister for Finance was expected to present the July-December 2021 report on the implementation of the NFC Award. A calling attention notice regarding complaints against overseas employment promoters was also on the agenda. However, due to a noisy protest by the MNAs belonging to the SIC, the sole sitting was adjourned after addressing only 2 items on the agenda.[1]

Quorum

Quorum was not pointed out during the session.

Attendance

A total of 271 (80%) MNAs were recorded as present in the session. Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, MNA (NA-123 Lahore-VII, Punjab, PML-N) did not attend the session.

Vocal MNAs

9 members were able to speak during the 2nd session of the National Assembly. Mr. Syed Mustufa Kamal, MNA (NA-42 Karachi Keamari-I, Sindh, MQM-P), and Ms. Sharmila Sahiba Faruqui Hashaam, MNA (Reserved Seat for Women, Sindh, PPPP) spoke for 3 minutes each, followed by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, MNA (NA-10 Buner-I, KP, Independent), Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, MNA (NA-18 Haripur, KP, Independent), Mr. Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, MNA (NA-41 Laki Marwat, KP, SIC) who spoke for 2 minutes each. Mr. Asad Qaiser, MNA (NA-19 Swabi, KP, SIC), Mr. Attaullah Tarar, MNA (NA-127 Lahore, Punjab, PML-N), Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, MNA (NA-149 Multan, Punjab, SIC) each spoke for only 1 minute each.

Legislation

No legislation was introduced during the session.

The House proceeding started with condemnation of the attack on the five Chinese Engineers who were killed in a suicide blast attack in Shangla District, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on March 26, 2024. The House observed one minute of silence and also offered Fateha for the members of the security forces who were martyred in acts of terrorism. Speaker of the National Assembly read out prorogation orders, stating that “we condemn this incident on behalf of the Parliament of Pakistan and reiterate that such attempts to damage Pak-China friendship will not succeed.”[2]

The National Assembly also witnessed a noisy protest by the opposition members from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) and PTI-backed independents, demanding a general debate on the issue of the letter written by six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding their alleged surveillance by the country’s intelligence agencies and interference in judicial matters. On a point of order, Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, MNA (NA-18 Haripur, KP, Independent) drew the attention of the Speaker to the opposition members’ submitted adjournment motion to the NA Secretariat and asked to allow a general debate on this matter, declaring that the agenda issued by the secretariat “does not reflect the reality.” [3]

In response, Federal Minister for Information, Mr. Attaullah Tarar, MNA (NA-127-XI, Lahore, Punjab, PML-N) stated that because the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Qazi Faez Isa had already taken a suo motu notice and set a hearing date, the matter has subjudice and could not be discussed in the Assembly. However, Malik Aamir Dogar, MNA (NA-149 Multan-II, Punjab, SIC), argued that the country was facing a “constitutional crisis” following the judges’ letter, and the Parliament should discuss the matter because judiciary is an important pillar of the State. Mr. Asad Qaiser, MNA (NA-19 Swabi, KP, SIC), emphasized that since the issue was “sensitive,” the speaker should use his powers under the rules to allow a debate on it. “The whole nation is facing trauma because if there is no prestige left for the judges and if decisions are made by putting pressure on them, it is a sensitive matter.” Barrister Gohar Ali Khan MNA (NA-10 Buner-I, KP, Independent) highlighted that the judges had mentioned “interference” in judicial matters and political cases in their letter. He demanded that lawmakers should be allowed to debate the matter and suggest steps to prevent such “interference.” He also proposed that the House should pass a resolution against such “interference.” [4]

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA (NA-120 Lahore, Punjab, PML-N), assured that he would give his ruling on the matter considering its sensitivity. He suggested that if the matter was subjudice, they should wait for the outcome of the case.[5]

Mr. Noor Alam Khan, MNA (NA-28 Peshawar-I, KP, JUIP), criticized the SIC members for not focusing on real issues like price hikes and power crises, instead of debating the judges’ issue. He urged the SIC members to prioritize the country’s interests over individual concerns.[6]

The Speaker also announced the appointment of the Opposition Leader in the House. He referred to Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly and asked that a written proposal for the Opposition Leader, including names and signatures of members, should reach his chamber by 6pm on April 1, 2024.

Time consumed on discussion of Policy Issues during 2nd Session

The effectiveness of the National Assembly session can be measured by examining the time devoted to discussing crucial issues of democratic governance. The most time-consuming discussion was on the letter written by six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), alleging surveillance by the country’s intelligence agencies and interference in judicial matters, which lasted for only 16 minutes.[7] While this is an important issue concerning the independence of democratic institutions, no legislation or policy was put forth in the discussion. Additionally, 2 minutes were spent on Riba-free economy, 1 minute was spent on the situation in Gaza, another 1 minute was dedicated to condemning the tragic killing of Maria, a 22-year-old girl from Toba Tek Singh, and finally, 2 minutes were focused on addressing terrorism concerns. The discussions were cut short as the session was prorogued after being marred by protest.

Table 1: List of MNAs who took oath during the Second Session of the 16th National Assembly

References

  1. “Daily bulletin” The National Assembly online, April 01, 2024, accessed May 08, 2024. https://na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/661ce3002e0ba_864.pdf. ↑

  2. Muhammad Anis, “PMLN’s 12 more MNAs sworn in amid protest” The News International online, April 02, 2024, accessed May 07, 2024. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1174842-pmln-s-12-more-mnas-sworn-in-amid-protest. ↑

  3. Amir Wasim, “Chaos in NA as opposition stopped from debating letter” Dawn online, April 02, 2024, accessed May 07, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1825150. ↑

  4. Waqas Ahmed, “Ayaz avoids debate on judges’ letter in NA,” The Express Tribune online, April 01, 2024, accessed May 07, 2024. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2461293/ayaz-avoids-debate-on-judges-letter-in-na. ↑

  5. “NA Speaker preserves ruling on adjournment motion submission,” Associate Press of Pakistan online, April 01, 2024, accessed May 08, 2024. https://www.app.com.pk/national/na-speaker-preserves-ruling-on-adjournment-motion-submission/. ↑

  6. Muhammad Anis, “PMLN’s 12 more MNAs sworn in amid protest,” The News International online, April 02, 2024, accessed May 07, 2024. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1174842-pmln-s-12-more-mnas-sworn-in-amid-protest. ↑

  7. 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. ↑