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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT BULLETIN NO. 12 OF THE ASSEMBLY

November 4, 2024

Summary

Summary of National Assembly Proceedings (10th Session 2024)

Date: Monday, 4th November 2024

  • Time Commenced: 6:41 PM
  • Time Adjourned: 7:18 PM
  • Duration: 37 Minutes
  • Presided by: Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker, National Assembly of Pakistan
  • Attendance: 229 members

Opening Ceremonies

The session began with religious recitations and the national anthem, setting a formal and respectful tone for the proceedings.

Motions and Legislative Actions

  1. Suspension of Question Hour: Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, successfully moved a motion to suspend the Question Hour for the day, citing Rule 288.

  2. Supreme Court Amendments: The Minister introduced and laid before the Assembly the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, along with bills to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1997, and the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023. These were introduced, considered, and passed in a swift legislative process facilitated by suspending Rule 122 to expedite the bills' consideration.

  3. High Court Amendment: The Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was also introduced and passed following a similar expedited process.

  4. Defence Legislation: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif introduced amendments to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, and the Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961. These bills were introduced, considered clause-by-clause, and passed after suspending specific procedural rules to allow immediate consideration.

Protests

Members of the SIC party protested during the session by chanting slogans, thumping desks, and tearing copies of the bills, indicating significant opposition to some of the legislative actions taken.

Other Business

  • A Calling Attention Notice regarding Pakistan's low ranking in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index was deferred.
  • A matter concerning the grounding of several Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircrafts was brought to attention but deferred.
  • Further discussion on a motion of thanks to the President for his address was left over.
  • Matters not constituting Points of Order under Rule 18 were left over for future consideration.

Conclusion

The session was adjourned to reconvene on Tuesday, 5th November 2024, at 11:00 PM, after a relatively brief but eventful meeting that saw the passage of several key pieces of legislation, particularly in the judicial and defense sectors, amidst opposition protests.

Observations

The session demonstrated the government's ability to push through its legislative agenda efficiently, albeit amidst vocal protests from opposition members. The proceedings reflected the dynamic and sometimes contentious nature of parliamentary democracy in Pakistan, highlighting the importance of legislative reforms in the country's governance and legal framework.