What exceptional legislature we have for these extraordinary times. At least that is the impression one of the one -year performance report of the 16th National Assembly compiled by Pildat, a group of experts who performs periodic analysis of legislative activities.
According to its findings, the 16th National Assembly managed to approve more laws in its first year despite calling for less days and hours than the previous assembly. In fact, the 47 laws he approved far exceeded almost all the actions of the previous assemblies, and almost “seven times the average number of bills approved during the first year by the four previous assemblies,” according to the president of Pildat.
However, the increase in assembly output should not be confused with greater efficiency or improved behavior. The president of Pildat regrets that “most of the laws were hurriedly approved without any significant debate in permanent committees or within the complete chamber amid strong protests […]”
A superficial look at some of the laws is enough to reinforce the impression that Parliament has been acting simply as a rubber stamp for selfish laws. For example, the 16th National Assembly promulgated three amendments to the 2017 Elections Law, of which at least two are publicly perceived to have been directed to, in the first place, to deny opposition candidates a fair opportunity to challenge their defeat in the general elections and, secondly, to prevent the reserved seats from being delivered to the main party of the opposition.
Other ‘achievements’ included Peque amendments, that the fraternity of the media, lawyers and civil society are still protesting, as well as the decidedly anti -democratic act of the Pacific Assembly and public order, which has made all public meetings and political manifestations in Islamabad subject to the carved and wishes of the local administration.
Then, of course, there is the 26th amendment, through which the Judiciary has been taken to the heel, and the members of Parliament (wages and assignments) (amendment), which has increased the salary of the parliamentarians of RS188,000 to RS519,000 per month. Despite all these “historical achievements”, the government has not yet finished improving its own lot at the expense of the country.
On the eve of the first anniversary of the Assembly, more the size of the federal cabinet doubled. As for why this was necessary, there is no educated response. Taking into account that the prime minister managed to achieve “so much” in his first year with only 21 ministers, why did he need 24 more in his cabinet? The State must now find the resources to pay its salaries, advantages and privileges despite the serious state of the country’s finances.
It is quite disappointing that both the government and the assembly remain completely without problems for public perceptions in their first year. His disdain damaged the image of Parliament and reduced his position in people’s eyes.
Posted in Dawn, March 1, 2025
