Abbasi slams 5-year NA term ‘worst in Pakistan’s history’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday criticised the five-year tenure of the National Assembly (NA) under both the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led governments, labeling it as the “worst period” in Pakistan’s history.

According to Dawn.com, former Prime Minister (PM) Abbasi said that the performance of the house has been very disappointing.

While talking to the media in the parliament, Abbasi said that many bills had been passed without thorough reading and observed a surge in the use of derogatory language by the politicians.

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He said that the governing parties seemed to lack comprehension of parliamentary procedures, democratic norms, and the essence of democracy itself, asserting that the nation was ‘getting rid’ of the NA.

Meanwhile, Abbasi echoed similar sentiments while addressing the assembly on Wednesday. He highlighted the passing of nearly 40 university-related bills in the final week of the assembly’s term. “This is a cause of shame,” he said.

According to the media reports, Abbasi further stressed the absence of opposition, considering it an important component of parliament. He remarked on the declining trend of parliamentary traditions since 1985 and underscored the accelerated decline witnessed from 2018 to 2023.

He expressed regret that legislative efforts over the past five years appeared geared towards serving the government’s interests rather than the welfare of the public.

The National Assembly’s five-year span encompassed two distinct governments, PTI and PDM. The PTI held the reins for approximately 44 months, until the PTI Chief was ousted through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022. Subsequently, a ruling coalition led by PDM governed for the ensuing 16 months, which dissolved at midnight on Thursday by President Arif Alvi.