National Assembly witnesses busy, eventful session

The National Assembly on Thursday witnessed a busy and eventful session chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, marked by oath-taking of newly elected members, the passage and presentation of multiple bills, prayers for martyred security personnel, and a strongly worded condemnation of recent remarks by the Indian defence minister.

Newly Elected MNAs Take Oath

The session began with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq administering the oath to four newly elected members: Daniyal Ahmed, Muhammad Noman, Mahmood Qadir and Muhammad Tufail. Later, Babar Nawaz, who won a recent by-election defeating the wife of Omar Ayub, also took his oath.

All five members signed the official roll of members.

Prayers for Martyred Security Personnel

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar led prayers (Fateha) for the security personnel martyred in the Peshawar FC Headquarters attack and the Hangu incident, with the House expressing deep grief over the losses.

Condemnation of Indian Defence Minister’s Statement

A strong condemnation resolution, presented by PPP MNA Aslam Alam Niazi, was passed unanimously. The resolution declared the Indian Defence Minister’s remarks regarding Sindh as “an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty”, reaffirming that Sindh is and will remain an integral part of Pakistan.

Transport Issues in Islamabad Highlighted

An attention notice was raised regarding the shortage of student transport in Islamabad. MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan stressed the need to increase facilities, especially for female students. Responding, the Parliamentary Secretary for Education said the government aims to introduce 50 new buses, though efforts are hindered by budget constraints.

Air Pollution in Islamabad Discussed

Several lawmakers, including Alia Kamran, Shahida Akhtar Ali, Naeema Kishor, and Usman Badini, voiced concerns over the deteriorating air quality.

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry acknowledged the challenge, noting Islamabad’s growing population and stating that the Ministry of Climate Change is trying to maintain the city’s environment. Usman Badini criticized the government, claiming significant funds had been provided but results remain unclear.

Multiple Bills Presented and Approved

The House saw the presentation and approval of several legislative items:

Presented Bills:

• Karachi Port Trust Amendment Bill — Tariq Fazal Chaudhry
• Federal Capital Islamabad Senior Citizens Amendment Bill — Azam Nazir Tarar
• National Fund for Cultural Heritage Amendment Bill — Tariq Fazal Chaudhry
• National College of Arts Institute Amendment Bill — Tariq Fazal Chaudhry

Approved Bills:

• King Hammad University of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences Bill
• Dance Schools Authority Bill
• Qanun-e-Shahadat Amendment Bill — presented by State Minister for Law and Justice Aqeel Malik

Quorum Objections and Speaker’s Response

Opposition MNA Iqbal Afridi pointed out the quorum twice during the session. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq dismissed the objections, stating the quorum was complete both times and reminding Afridi of his inappropriate remarks in previous sittings.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s Address

In a robust speech, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticized PTI for boycotting the by-elections, saying those who abstained from the electoral process have “no right to criticize.” He questioned PTI’s claims of rigging, asking where their legal evidence was and how many tribunal cases they had actually filed. Tarar also accused the opposition of running misleading campaigns on social media and said the government repeatedly offered dialogue, which the opposition declined.