ISLAMABAD: PILDAT reviews the legislative performance and effectiveness of the 16th National Assembly during its second year, PILDAT has noted that while the Assembly recorded the highest legislative output among recent assemblies, it continued to demonstrate structural weaknesses in attendance, agenda management, executive engagement, and deliberative scrutiny. The heightened pace of legislation, particularly on constitutionally significant matters, often unfolded within compressed timeframes, limiting the opportunity for sustained parliamentary debate and committee review.
The second parliamentary year of the 16th National Assembly spanned from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026. During this period, the Assembly was convened for 84 sittings, compared to 93 sittings in its first year, reflecting a decline of 9.7%. However, total working hours increased to 231 hours, up from 212 hours in the first year, indicating longer sittings despite fewer working days.
The total annual budget of the National Assembly stood at PKR 16,290 million during the second year. The average budget per sitting rose significantly to PKR 193.93 million, compared to PKR 136.96 million in the first year.
Legislative productivity intensified during the second year, with the passage of 59 bills, compared to 47 bills in the first year — a 25.5% increase. Compared to the second years of the 12th to 15th National Assemblies, where the average number of bills passed stood at 21.75, the 16th National Assembly recorded the highest legislative output among recent assemblies. At the same time, reliance on ordinances declined to 8 ordinances, down from 16 in the first year, indicating relatively reduced executive-driven legislation.
Among the most consequential legislative developments was the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which introduced structural changes affecting judicial appointments and institutional balance. The year also witnessed passage of the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which restricted public access to legislators’ asset declarations by granting discretionary authority to withhold such information on security grounds. The speed with which several major laws were processed raised concerns about limited committee scrutiny and constrained clause-by-clause deliberation.
During the second year, 47.59% of the scheduled daily agenda items were left over, only marginally improved from 49.18% in the first year, though, half of planned parliamentary business remained incomplete.
Attendance trends reflected declining member engagement. Average attendance of MNAs fell to 58.80%, compared to 66.29% in the first year. Quorum was pointed out 19 times, and 8 sittings had to be adjourned due to lack of quorum. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif attended 6 out of 84 sittings, recording an attendance rate of approximately 7%.
the second year also witnessed a prolonged vacancy in the office of the Leader of the Opposition following the disqualification of Omar Ayub Khan on August 5, 2025. The position remained vacant until January 16, 2026,. This institutional vacuum further reduced the scope for structured government–opposition engagement at a time when consensus-building was particularly needed.
In terms of individual participation, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was the most vocal (5 hours, 59 Minutes) MNA during the second year , recording the highest cumulative speaking time in the House. Mr. Asif was followed by Mr. Omar Ayub Khan (5 Hours, 6 Minutes), Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (4 Hours, 52 Minutes), Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry (4 hours, 20 Minutes) and Barrister Gohar Khan (3 Hours, 20 Minutes). The top five most vocal members together accounted for a significant share of total debate time, indicating that parliamentary discussion remained concentrated among a limited group of legislators.
Notably, Assembly demonstrated capacity for bipartisan consensus on matters of national security, adopting a unanimous resolution in May 2025 during heightened tensions with India, affirming Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
