The National Assembly has dismissed more than 200 employees to cut costs, with official documents revealing that MPs have increased their salaries by almost 300 percent.

According to sources, the National Assembly Secretariat, in its annual report published at the end of the parliamentary year, said that 220 employees were laid off during two phases of right-sizing to save Rs1 billion annually. The Finance Committee of the National Assembly, headed by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, has approved several policy measures to improve the operations of the Secretariat.

In the first two phases, unnecessary posts from Grades 1 to 19 were eliminated, which reduced the Assembly’s expenses by more than Rs563 million. The third phase of reforms is being launched to save Rs1 billion every year. In the first phase, 90 unnecessary posts were eliminated, which will save Rs 255.84 million per year. In the second phase, 130 posts were eliminated, which will save Rs 37.5 million in expenses.

The report did not mention the recent increase in the remuneration of MNEs, whose basic salary was increased from Rs 180,000 to Rs 519,000. It is also not clear how the increase in MNE salaries will offset the expected savings from rightsizing. However, the report said that these dismissals are part of a broader effort to streamline the operations of the National Assembly Secretariat and ensure its financial sustainability.

Record legislation

The report also mentioned the record number of laws passed in the first year of the 16th National Assembly. The report said that the House made significant progress in legislation by passing 40 government bills and 11 private members’ bills and that 36 government bills and 6 private members’ bills introduced by MNAs, who were not part of the government, became acts.

However, an analysis published by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) earlier this week said that most of these laws were passed in a hurry without being reviewed by MNAs and without being sent to the relevant standing committees.

In its report, the National Assembly Secretariat highlighted the 2024-25 budget, which the National Assembly passed “after detailed debate and incorporating amendments suggested by the members of the National Assembly.”

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However, PILDAT had said in a report last year that the government had rejected all the amendments to the Finance Bill 2024 presented by the opposition members. The National Assembly Secretariat said that the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill is one of the most notable milestones in the legislative years and aims to strengthen judicial reforms and parliamentary supremacy.

Other important laws mentioned in the report include the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025 to improve Pakistan’s digital economy and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025 to update cyber security and digital crime regulations.

In addition to these legislative achievements, the National Assembly has made significant progress in improving the efficiency and accountability of its administrative functions. Efforts have been initiated to digitize the functions of the Parliament House on the directions of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

Speaker’s Visits

The report also highlights Ayaz Sadiq’s foreign visits during the past year to enhance parliamentary cooperation. These included a visit to Geneva to attend the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Speaker also visited Minsk, Belarus, Russia, and Hungary.

During these visits, the Speaker emphasized the role of democracy, peace, and the rule of law in global development. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful negotiations and highlighted the importance of parliamentary friendship groups in strengthening international cooperation.

Ayaz Sadiq expressed deep concern over the violence in Gaza and termed Israel’s actions as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The 45th Annual Forum of Parliamentarians in October 2024 brought more than 46 foreign parliamentarians to Pakistan.

The event, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, emphasized the important role of parliamentarians in addressing global challenges, including human rights violations, access to clean water, and conflict resolution. Other notable figures who visited Parliament House last year included Sheikh Dr. Salah Muhammad Al-Budayr, Imam of Masjid Al-Nabawi, and renowned Islamic scholar Dr. Zakir Naik.

Pakistan also hosted the first Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Workshop on Legislative Drafting, which was attended by women lawmakers from the Commonwealth. The report said the event served as a platform for discussing best practices, legal frameworks, and strategies to enhance laws that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.