The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has released a comprehensive report marking 100 days of the 16th National Assembly, shedding light on various aspects of the legislative body's performance and participation rates.
The National Assembly held a total of 23 sittings during this period, spanning 66.5 hours in total. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's attendance at these meetings was notably low, with him attending only two sessions with a participation rate of just 10%. In contrast, the attendance rate of PTI Founder Imran Khan during his first 100 days as prime minister was 29%, while former PM Nawaz Sharif had an attendance rate of 26%.
The report further mentions that Leader of the Opposition Omer Ayub demonstrated a high level of engagement, attending 88% of the meetings. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq along with the deputy speaker exhibited significant dedication, presiding over 82% of the proceedings.
Out of the 310 members, 159 actively participated in the proceedings in the first 100 days of the assembly, with an average attendance of 230 members per session. Members of the Sunni Ittehad Council were the most active in the assembly proceedings.
FAFEN's report also highlighted several challenges faced by the National Assembly. The legislative process remained sluggish, partially due to delays in the formation of standing committees, which significantly impacted the assembly's performance.
Restrictions on citizen access to the meetings further affected the legislative body's effectiveness.
Despite these issues, the speaker and deputy speaker presided over 84% of the proceedings. However, a substantial portion of the plenary time, approximately 30%, was consumed by points of order, which FAFEN noted in their report.
Additionally, the National Assembly is still operating with a shortage of 26 members, further complicating its ability to function efficiently.
FAFEN's report underscores the need for improved attendance and participation from key government figures, as well as more efficient legislative processes, to enhance the overall performance of the National Assembly.
