This annual report reviews the performance of 13th National Assembly in the third parliamentary year (March 2010 to March 2011). During this period, 10 regular sessions of the Lower House and two joint sessions of the Parliament were held. However, the report covers only the regular sessions.

Marked by the passage of the historical 18th Amendment, the parliamentary year also witnessed improvement in terms of Members’ participation in the proceedings, lawmaking, and utilisation of session time. The Lower House held more sittings in the third parliamentary year than the second.

But the Quorum – one-fourth of the total Membership necessary to conduct the business of the House – was visibly lacking throughout the year. It was only pointed out twice in the third parliamentary year and thrice in the preceding year.

The parliamentarians continued to use Points of Order to raise issues other than the business of the House during the parliamentary year. Just as it was in the second year, the Chair never gave a formal ruling on any of the Points of Order. Unless a formal ruling is given, these Points of Order do not lead to any Assembly output.

Though the number of Calling Attention Notices went up in the third year, the number of Questions – an accountability tool allowing the parliament to hold the executive accountable – decreased.

Women parliamentarians accounted for almost half of the parliamentary agenda conducted during the parliamentary year. They were actively involved in the parliamentary business and submitted more Questions than their male counterparts, collaborating in moving Calling Attention Notices, Resolutions, Motions under Rule 259 and Private Members’ Bills.

For complete report click here