ISLAMABAD:
The 16th National Assembly recorded its highest legislative output in recent parliamentary history during its second year, even as political polarization, declining attendance and institutional vulnerabilities continued to overshadow its performance, according to PILDAT’s annual performance assessment.
The report, which covers the period from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, notes that the assembly entered its second parliamentary year “amid sustained political polarization and institutional tension,” but demonstrated “increased legislative activity alongside continued structural and procedural challenges.”
The assembly met for 84 business days during the year, down from 93 sessions in its first year, a decrease of about 9.7%. However, the total working hours increased to 231 hours, up from 212 hours earlier, indicating comparatively longer sessions.
Despite this increase, total work hours remained “significantly below the second year’s historical average of 324.5 hours observed in previous assemblies,” the statement said.
Financially, the assembly’s annual budget amounted to Rs 16.29 billion. The average budget per session increased drastically to Rs 193.93 crore, up from Rs 136.96 crore in the first year.
Legislative productivity intensified considerably. A total of 59 bills were passed during the second year, compared to 47 in the first year, an increase of 25.5%.
Compared to the second years of the 12th to 15th National Assemblies, where the average number of bills passed was 21.75, the current assembly recorded the highest legislative output among recent assemblies.
At the same time, dependence on executive legislation decreased. Eight ordinances were enacted during the year, compared to 16 in the first year, a 50% reduction.
Among the most important events was the passage of the 27th Amendment.
According to the report, the amendment introduced “structural changes to Pakistan’s judicial architecture, including the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court, modifications to judicial appointment processes, restructuring of the military command framework, and expanded constitutional immunities for key officials.”
The amendment generated “intense political and legal debate”, with critics raising concerns about judicial independence, separation of powers, and civil-military balance. Its approval marked the most significant constitutional development of the second year of the assembly.
Another controversial measure was the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2026, which restricted public access to MPs’ wealth disclosures by giving discretionary authority to the speaker or president to withhold disclosures for security reasons.
The bill sparked a debate about transparency and accountability, particularly due to the expedited legislative process used for its passage.
Despite increased legislation, structural weaknesses persisted. During the second year, 47.59% of scheduled agenda items were left unfinished, only slightly better than the first year’s 49.18%, meaning that almost half of planned items were left incomplete.
Attendance trends also reflected a decline in engagement. The average attendance of MNAs fell to 58.80%, compared to 66.29% in the first year. A quorum was established on 19 occasions, with eight sessions being postponed due to lack of quorum.
Structural problems related to the attendance registration system remain unresolved.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended six of 84 sessions, reflecting an attendance rate of about 7%, continuing a pattern of limited executive presence in parliamentary proceedings.
A decisive institutional challenge during the year was the prolonged absence of a formally recognized opposition leader.
Following the disqualification of Omar Ayub Khan on 5 August 2025, the position remained vacant until 16 January 2026, when Mahmood Khan Achakzai was formally notified. The five-month gap weakened coordinated oversight of the opposition during a period of major constitutional and legislative changes.
