ISLAMABAD: As the 14th National Assembly (NA) completed its five-year tenure on May 31, it took up an unprecedented legislative agenda to approve 205 bills as compared to 134 and 51 bills passed by 13th and 12th assemblies during their five-year terms, respectively.
It had been reported that as many as 182 governments and 23 private members’ bills sailed through the house.
Furthermore, according to a report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), during 56 sessions comprising 495 sittings the house approved several important laws, including five constitutional amendments that provided for setting up of military courts for an initial period of two years and their subsequent extension for another two years, reallocation of National Assembly seats among the federating units on the basis of the results of the latest census, electoral reforms and merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Moreover, the house adopted 209 resolutions, making recommendations to the government on the issues concerning foreign affairs, economy, internal security, education, health, etc.
In all, 237 private members’ bills were introduced in the lower house of parliament. Among the parliamentary parties, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was most keen towards introducing private members’ legislation as its lawmakers sponsored nearly one-third (75) of the bills. Lawmakers of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz sponsored 53 private members’ bills, Pakistan People’s Party-Parliamentarians legislators 33 and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s lawmakers 26. Moreover, legislators from two or more political parties collaborated in sponsoring nine private members’ bills.
The lawmakers kept a close vigil on the executive by raising 13,912 questions, moving 533 calling attention notices and holding discussions on 45 motions.
As many as 194 lawmakers of 16 parliamentary parties, including 56 women and 138 men, exercised their right to ask questions on the floor of the house. Women lawmakers asked 7,909 (57pc) questions while men 6,003 (43pc) questions. The government replied to 10,926 (79pc) out of 13,912 questions while 2,977 (21pc) questions remained unaddressed.
The 14th National Assembly passed 18 amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business by introducing some meaningful reforms.
During five years of the assembly, 306 (89pc) of the 342 members actively participated in the house business by sponsoring agenda items and taking part in plenary discussions. However, the lawmakers’ attendance showed a declining trend over the period of five years with annual average attendance falling from 222 (65pc) legislators per sitting during the first year to 189 (55pc) lawmakers per sitting during the last year.
Moreover, the house also witnessed the address by the presidents of China, Turkey and Indonesia to the joint sessions of both houses of the parliament, says the Fafen report.