Key Takeaways
- National Assembly adjourned due to lack of quorum on Thursday.
- Only one bill passed before sitting was suspended.
- Railways Minister announced inauguration of ML-1 project's first phase.
Proceedings in the National Assembly on Thursday were disrupted by a lack of quorum, leading to the adjournment of the sitting until Friday morning. The House was scheduled to address 16 items, but the session was halted after a PTI MNA pointed out the insufficient number of members present.
Abdul Qadir Patel, presiding over the sitting, allowed additional time for the quorum to be met, but the number of Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) remained below the required 88.
During the question hour, the focus shifted to the demolition of illegal structures in Islamabad, particularly in Sector E-12. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry clarified that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was only demolishing illegal constructions, addressing concerns about the shortage of graveyards in the city.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi informed the House that the first phase of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, involving the laying of 480 kilometres of railway track between Rohri and Karachi at an estimated cost of $2.5 billion.
MNA Syed Rafiullah raised concerns about the displacement of families in Karachi’s Malir area due to the ML-1 project, highlighting the lack of rehabilitation efforts for those affected.
PTI MNA Shehryar Afridi expressed dissatisfaction with the response to a question regarding facilities for Haj pilgrims, suggesting that a more responsible member of the treasury benches or the minister for parliamentary affairs should have answered the query.
Mr Afridi also criticized private Haj organisers for making the religious obligation prohibitively expensive, with packages costing between Rs4 million and Rs5m.
The National Assembly passed the Life Insurance (Nationalisation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, establishing the State Life Insurance Company Limited under the Companies Act, 2017. The bill outlines the appointment process for the company’s CEO and board of directors.
The adjournment of the sitting until Friday morning underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the National Assembly in maintaining a quorum for its proceedings.
