Profuse parliamentarians: K-P Assembly - between loss and legislation

The election year completely changed the composition of the assembly as PTI swept polls in the province.

PESHAWAR:

The change in the aftermath of the May 11 general elections was most evident in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly.

The election year completely changed the composition of the assembly as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept polls in the province, replacing Awami National Party (ANP) as the single largest party in power in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

The assembly witnessed ANP’s strength dwindling from over 54 to a negligible four. Junior coalition partner Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also shared the same fate, while Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), Awami Jamhori Ittehad Pakistan (AJIP) as well as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) were among those who gained besides the PTI.

In black and white

The incumbent assembly passed about eight laws during the first six months of its tenure. Some of the PTI-led coalition government’s benchmark legislations include the Right to Information Act (RTI) and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act 2013, while the draft of the accountability law is currently under review with a select committee of the house.

The provincial assembly, however, failed to constitute standing committees that comprise an integral part of parliamentary business. But the assembly in November managed to pass the much-hyped resolution against drone strikes, asking the federal government to take steps for bringing an end to the controversial attacks in Pakistani territory.

The previous assembly met twice towards the end of its tenure in January and March earlier this year. The assembly met for about eight days from January 4 to January 21, while session number 30, which was the last sitting of the previous assembly, took place between March 4-12.

The previous assembly also passed about 17 laws during these two sessions of 2013. Some of the important legislation enacted by the last assembly included the K-P Elimination of Custom of Ghag Act 2013, K-P Minimum Wages Act, K-P Provincial Services Academy and the K-P Universities Amendment Act 2013.

Brainstorming

The new assembly, since its inaugural session held on May 29, met for at least eight sessions in the first six months of its tenure. The sessions lasted a total of 37 days, which is about 20 days short of the 57 days of parliamentary calendar till December 31, 2013.

Six out of eight sessions were convened by the governor on the government’s request, while two sessions were called by the opposition. The two sessions called by the opposition after the bombings on the All Saints Church and assassination of law minister Israrullah Gandapur were first of their kind after August 2008.

The provincial assembly held its longest session from June 17 to July 13 to discuss and pass the provincial budget.

H(a)unted by terror?

Terrorism has left deep scars on the incumbent assembly, which lost three of its members in less than six months. The previous assembly had lost a similar number of lawmakers over a period of five years.

The first attack was on June 3, days after the government took oath. The deceased lawmaker Farid Khan was an independent member from Hangu who joined the PTI after elections. Meanwhile, Imran Mohmand, another independent who was supporting the PTI, was targeted in a suicide attack on June 18 in a funeral prayers congregation in his constituency.

The government was worst hit when Israrullah Khan Gandapur, minister for law, human rights and parliamentary affairs, was also killed in a suicide attack on October 16 in his native Kulachi town of Dera Ismail Khan district on the eve of Eidul Azha.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2014.