national assembly. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD:
In the second parliamentary year of the 16th National Assembly, which concluded on Tuesday, lawmakers passed 46 bills: 40 government bills and six private members’ bills. The House also adopted 27 resolutions during the period.
In total, 159 bills were presented during the year. Of these, 59 government bills were presented to the National Assembly, while 14 were received from the Senate.
The AN held 11 sessions and three joint sessions during the year, completing 130 work days with a total duration of 237 hours and 36 minutes. As part of their oversight function, members asked 7,625 questions, of which 1,710 were answered on the floor of the House.
Members presented 329 attention notices, 49 were put up for discussion. Fifteen motions for adjournment were presented; 13 were rejected.
Of 33 privilege motions, six were referred to standing committees, 18 remain under consideration, six were rejected and two were withdrawn. According to article 259, 263 motions were received, four were included in the Agenda and three were debated.
During the budget session for fiscal year 2025-26, the annual budget was discussed 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 exhaustive deliberations.
Key legislation during the year included the 27th Constitutional Amendment and amendments to the Pakistan Army Act, 1958, among other important laws.
President Ayaz Sadiq presided over the proceedings, facilitating dialogue between the government and the opposition on matters of national importance.
Efforts were made to strengthen question time to ensure ministerial accountability, including summoning relevant secretaries when answers were not provided.
Parliamentary forums such as the Group of Women Parliamentarians, the Parliamentary Group on the Rights of the Child, the Forum of Young Parliamentarians and the Parliamentary Working Group on the Sustainable Development Goals were activated to promote inclusive governance.
These forums organized policy dialogues, legislative workshops, public consultations and international engagements, and provincial committees were established to expand their reach.
The president also advanced parliamentary diplomacy, participating in a conference in Türkiye in solidarity with Palestine and presenting Pakistan’s position.
He made official visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan and attended the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments in Geneva.
