ISLAMABAD, February 29, 2024: The newly-elected members of the 16th National Assembly took oath of membership during the first session’s inaugural sitting on Thursday.

The following are key observations of the sitting:

• The outgoing Assembly’s Speaker officiated the oath to 302 members followed by the signing of the Roll of Members in accordance with Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly 2007.
• The session commenced an hour and 12 minutes later than scheduled, and lasted for a duration of three hours and 15 minutes.
• Lawmakers belonging to three parties i.e. Sunni Ittehad Council, Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz raised slogans during the proceedings in support of their respective leadership and parties.
• As many as three lawmakers spoke on Points of Order for 16 minutes.
• At the outset of the sitting, there were 260 members present, with 115 members remaining until the end. Additionally, five members elected on minority seats attended the sitting.
• The outgoing Speaker announced that elections for the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker would take place on Friday March 1, 2024.
• The next sitting of the National Assembly will be held on Friday March 1, 2024 at 1000 Hours.

This factsheet is based on the direct observation of the House proceedings on February 29, 2024 by the Free and Fair Election Network.

For more updates, visit FAFEN Digital , www.fafen.org and www.openparlaiment.pk