16th NA's performance underwhelming

Much of lower house's time consumed in political conflict between govt, PTI

ISLAMABAD:

The initial six months of the first parliamentary year of the 16th National Assembly were consumed by political conflicts between the government and the opposition, leading to a disappointing performance of Pakistan's largest legislative body.

According to an investigation carried out by The Express Tribune, during the first six months of the parliamentary year, a total of 8 sessions of the National Assembly were held, with proceedings lasting a total of 41 days.

During these sessions, a total of 26 bills were presented by both the government and the opposition, but only 11 laws were passed by the National Assembly.

Of the laws passed, 6 were presidential ordinances, 2 were government bills, and 3 were private members' bills presented by individual assembly members.

During this period, assembly members brought public issues to the attention of the house through calling attention notices, and 12 resolutions were also approved.

The documents reveal that in the recently passed budget by the National Assembly, over Rs2.5 billion were allocated for salaries, allowances, and perks of assembly members.

Out of this, Rs540 million were earmarked for salaries, Rs178.8 million for allowances, and Rs1.92 billion for travel and transportation expenses, including Rs130 million for regular allowances and Rs40 million for other allowances.

According to the documents, assembly members receive a daily allowance ranging from Rs6,800 to Rs8,500 for attending sessions. Over Rs65 million were paid as daily allowances to members in addition to their monthly salaries for attending 41 days of assembly proceedings.

After the February 8 general elections, the first session of the National Assembly's first parliamentary year lasted 16 days, with 7 sittings held, during which members were paid Rs12.4 million as daily allowances for attending the sessions.

The second and third sessions of the National Assembly were called for just one day each, with members attending these sessions receiving Rs3.35 million in daily allowances.

The fourth session of the National Assembly lasted 11 days, with proceedings running for 7 days, for which members received Rs10 million as daily allowances.

The budget session of the current parliamentary year was a lengthy one, lasting 24 days, with proceedings continuing for 13 days.

Members attending the budget session received over Rs20.4 million as daily allowances, while those attending the seventh and eighth sessions received Rs10.5 million as daily allowances.