Islamabad, The 16th National Assembly of Pakistan has reached its first 100-day milestone since the oath-taking ceremony on February 29, 2024, exhibiting a performance similar to its predecessors with a slow pace of legislation. Despite a high rate of attendance and some moves towards bipartisanship and parliamentary transparency, the assembly has been hampered by delays and limited legislative outputs.
According to Free and Fair Election Network, the new assembly, formed after the February 8, 2024 elections, which saw no party gaining a simple majority, is currently led by a coalition headed by the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PMLN) with support from various other parties. However, the assembly is yet to reach its full membership due to ongoing legal disputes over eligibility, specifically concerning seats reserved for women and non-Muslims. This incomplete formation has contributed to some of the inertia observed.
Despite the slow legislative start with only one money bill passed, the assembly did manage to hold 23 sittings over 66 hours and 33 minutes, dealing with a significant portion of business inherited from the caretaker government. The report highlights that points of order took up a substantial portion of the plenary time, indicative of the heightened political tensions within the assembly.
The Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has been notably absent from most of the sessions, attending only two sittings after his election as Leader of the House. His engagements in the assembly have been limited compared to his predecessors during their initial 100 days, possibly impacting legislative momentum.
On a positive note, the assembly has shown an enhanced focus on gender sensitivity and transparency. Efforts to make parliamentary proceedings accessible online have been noted, although challenges remain in providing unrestricted livestreams and complete video recordings. Furthermore, a Parliamentary Committee on Gender Mainstreaming was constituted to bolster women’s empowerment, reflecting a progressive approach towards gender issues.
Despite these efforts, the assembly’s effectiveness continues to be challenged by delayed committee formations and restricted public access, underscoring the need for more robust measures to ensure the assembly’s operational efficiency and openness.