Fafen report shines light on attendance of MNAs in sessions

ISLAMABAD: As many as 36 (11 per cent) Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) attended all sittings, whereas 35 (11 per cent) did not attend any sitting during the 12th session of the National Assembly that spanned over nine sittings between January 13 and 23, 2025.

According to FAFEN Report Card of the MNAs attendance for the previous ‘12th session of the National Assembly, the attendance pattern fluctuated throughout the session, with female members consistently recording higher attendance than their male counterparts.

As per FAFEN’s analysis, the highest attendance was observed during the last sitting, with 214 members present, accounting for 68 per cent of the total membership.

During this sitting, the House passed the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025, brought through the supplementary agenda. Conversely, the lowest attendance was recorded during the fifth sitting, with only 117 members present, representing 37 per cent of the total membership. The sitting had to be adjourned after 33 minutes due to a lack of quorum pointed out by a lawmaker belonging to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

181 MNAs skip sittings without advance leave

A FAFEN analysis of the attendance and the leave applications read during the proceedings reveals that 277 members—88 per cent of the current strength—missed at least one sitting during the current session.

However, only 96 (35 per cent) submitted an application seeking leave from the House for their absence. Amongst these 96, 33 applied for leave in advance, while 36 applied ex-post facto after returning from their leaves.

Moreover, the leave applications of 27 MNAs were read on a day falling in the middle of their period of absence.

The remaining 181 members (65 per cent) skipped sittings without submitting any advance application.

Even among those who did apply for leave, only 51 members (53 per cent) sought approval for the entire duration of their absence, while the remaining 45 (47 per cent) were absent for a longer period than the number of days for which they had requested leave.

As many as nine MNAs also applied for leave during the previous session(s).

Seat-wise data reveals varying trends in attendance. Only five (nine per cent) female MNAs, three on reserved and two on general seats, attended all sittings, while 31 (11 per cent) male MNAs attended all.

However, three (seven per cent) out of 41 female MNAs in reserved seats had zero attendance.

Nine female MNAs attended less than half of the sittings, while 29 women on reserved seats attended more than half, including the three MNAs who attended all sittings.

All seven minority members attended more than half of the sittings, including two lawmakers who attended all sittings.

Among male MNAs elected on general seats, 31 did not attend a single sitting, whereas 67 attended less than half of the sittings. In contrast, 157 lawmakers attended more than half of the sittings during the session, including the 29 MNAs who attended all sittings.

Male MNAs’ attendance showed a slight improvement compared to previous sessions.

Regionally, MNAs from the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) demonstrated higher attendance compared to other regions. All three MNAs from ICT attended all sittings.

Additionally, 33 MNAs (70 per cent) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attended more than half of the sittings during the reporting session, including six who attended all sittings. Similarly, 106 MNAs (64 per cent) from Sindh, 50 MNAs (63 per cent) from Punjab, and 11 MNAs (55 per cent) from Balochistan attended more than half of the sittings (these statistics include members who attended all sittings). A region-wise comparison indicates an improvement in attendance compared to the previous session.

Political parties show varying attendance trends

The majority of lawmakers from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian (PPPP), SIC, and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) attended more than half of the sittings.

The sole lawmaker from Balochistan National Party (BNP) did not attend any sittings.

Other parties with only one member, including National Party (NP), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), and Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z), each attended more than half of the sittings, while the Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen Pakistan (MWMP) lawmaker attended all the sittings.

Lack of ministerial presence weakens legislative oversight

Among the 18 federal ministers and two ministers of state whose presence was expected during question hour to respond to questions related to their ministries, only six attended all the sittings where their presence was expected, while five did not attend any.

The remaining ministers attended at least one of the sittings where their presence was expected. In their absence, another cabinet colleague or the parliamentary secretary concerned responded to questions on their behalf.

The Federal Minister for Housing and Works had the highest attendance, participating in all sittings.

This was followed by the Federal Minister for Industries and Production, who also holds additional portfolios for National Food Security & Research, and the State Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication, each with 89 per cent attendance.

The Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs followed closely with 78 per cent participation in the House.

The Prime Minister attended two (15 per cent) sittings, while the Leader of the Opposition attended all (100 per cent) sittings.