Islamabad: The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has released its report on the 19th session of the National Assembly, revealing that one-fourth of the members — a total of 82 lawmakers — did not attend any of the sittings held from September 1 to 5, 2025.
According to the report, the session comprised three sittings. Out of the total members, 111 (34%) attended all sittings, while attendance varied significantly across the days. The second sitting recorded the highest attendance with 200 members (61%), whereas the third sitting saw the lowest presence with only 159 members (49%).
FAFEN reported that 216 members (66%) missed at least one sitting. Among them, 50 submitted leave applications, while 166 members were absent without official permission.
The report noted that four federal ministers and one minister of state attended all sittings, while the Prime Minister did not attend any session, and the Leader of the Opposition’s seat remained vacant throughout the proceedings.
Attendance among female members was notably higher compared to their male counterparts. Around 35 women MNAs (49%) attended all sittings, while 12 (17%) did not attend any. In contrast, 70 male MNAs (28%) remained absent from all sittings.
Provincial analysis showed that 98 members from Punjab (58%), 40 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (75%), 11 from Balochistan (55%), and 41 from Sindh (51%) attended more than half of the sittings. All members from Islamabad participated in more than half of the sittings.
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The report further stated that most members of the Sunni Ittehad Council, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Pakistan) attended more than one sitting. Meanwhile, the sole representatives of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and the National Party recorded full attendance.
However, FAFEN expressed concern over ministerial absenteeism during crucial discussions, particularly on the country’s flood situation. Ten federal ministers and five ministers of state did not attend any sitting, raising questions about their commitment to parliamentary responsibilities.
Ministers for Public Affairs, Housing and Works, Poverty Alleviation, Defence, and the Minister of State for Railways were among those who attended all sittings of the session.
