The 16th National Assembly has completed its first parliamentary year, with 93 sessions held over 247 hours and 23 minutes.

During this period, 47 laws and 26 resolutions were passed, including the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has highlighted in its annual review that the current assembly’s working hours and session days are lower than the previous assembly.

However, there has been a significant increase in legislative activity, with most laws being passed without thorough scrutiny or review.

According to PILDAT, the 16th National Assembly commenced on February 29, 2024, and its first year will conclude on February 28, 2025.

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The report reveals that the current assembly worked for 212 hours across 93 sessions, while the 15th National Assembly worked for a record 297 hours across 96 sessions in its first year.

Despite lower working hours, the 16th National Assembly saw a significant surge in legislation.

Forty-seven bills were passed in its first year, compared to only 10 in the 15th National Assembly, marking a 370 per cent increase.

However, many laws — including nine crucial ones — were passed hastily, bypassing necessary reviews and committee discussions.

High costs, low attendance

The report notes that the cost of one working hour in the 16th National Assembly stands at approximately Rs60.08 million, with an average cost of Rs136.96 million per session.

Despite this, lawmakers’ attendance has declined, averaging 66 per cent in the 16th Assembly compared to 73 per cent in the previous term.

Each MNA cost taxpayers an estimated Rs37.9 million in the first year.

PILDAT has urged for improvements in attendance tracking, as the current system does not differentiate between members attending for five minutes or five hours.

Prime minister’s low attendance

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended only 17 out of 93 sessions (18 per cent), a pattern similar to former PTI Prime Minister Imran Khan, who attended only 18 out of 96 sessions (19 per cent) in the 15th Assembly’s first year.

Former PM Nawaz Sharif had an even lower attendance record, appearing in just seven out of 103 sessions in the 14th Assembly’s first year.

In contrast, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan attended 62 sessions, surpassing Shehbaz Sharif’s attendance of 53 sessions as opposition leader in the previous term. Ayub also spoke for 13 hours and 28 minutes, making him the most vocal lawmaker of the year.

Violation of rules in committee formations

The 16th National Assembly failed to form standing committees within the required timeframe, violating Rule 200, which mandates committee formation within 30 days of the Leader of the House’s election.

The deadline of April 3, 2024, was missed, and committees were still inactive by May 17, 2024, with further delays in electing committee chairpersons.

PILDAT has stressed the need for better legislative scrutiny, improved attendance tracking, and adherence to parliamentary rules to enhance governance and accountability in the assembly’s future proceedings.