The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has released its latest report evaluating the parliamentary performance of federal ministers at the conclusion of the first parliamentary year.
According to the report, the federal cabinet consists 18 ministers and two ministers of state. Notably, there is only one female minister of state, and no non-Muslim member is part of the cabinet.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar emerged as the most effective cabinet member, securing the top rank in parliamentary performance. Tarar not only attended the highest number of sessions but also spoke the most in the House. He participated in 89 out of 157 parliamentary meetings and spoke for a total of 17 hours and 18 minutes. Additionally, he was instrumental in passing 38 government bills, including constitutional amendments.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif ranked second in parliamentary engagement, attending 69 sessions and speaking for 5 hours and 41 minutes. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar was placed fifth in attendance and third in terms of speaking time, with a total of 4 hours and 29 minutes.
On the other end of the spectrum, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema ranked the lowest in parliamentary performance. Ahad Cheema attended only nine out of 157 sessions, ranking 17th in attendance and 19th in speaking time, having spoken for barely a minute in the House.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb ranked 12th in attendance, while Aleem Khan was placed eighth in attendance and 13th in speaking time. Ahsan Iqbal was ranked 14th in attendance and 12th in speaking engagement.
Other notable rankings included Ali Pervaiz Malik, who secured the fourth position in attendance and ninth in speaking, while Amir Muqam ranked sixth in attendance and tenth in speaking. Chaudhary Salik Hussain was placed 15th in attendance, whereas Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui ranked seventh in attendance but 17th in speaking time. Jam Kamal stood at ninth in attendance and 12th in speaking, while former finance minister Ishaq Dar ranked 13th in attendance but fifth in speaking time.