FUNCTIONING OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN UNDERGENERAL MUSHARRAF, 2002-2007: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY & PAKISTAN STUDIES

By: ABDUL SALAM

Supervised By: Prof. Dr. Mahboob Hussain

Academic Level: MPhil

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Abstract

In a democratic country, National Assembly is the custodian of the rights of people and its
members are the representatives of the people. The current study investigates the functioning
of National Assembly during Musharraf era. A qualitative and quantitative content analysis is
adopted to study the functions of National Assembly. The main sources of data were both
primary and secondary in nature in which the debates of National Assembly were treated as
primary source of data, while books, journals, and newspapers were consulted as the
secondary sources of data. The indicators of institutionalization were applied on the National
Assembly to evaluate the complexity, durability, differentiation, and autonomy of National
Assembly of Pakistan between 2002-2007. The study incorporates different issues of national
interest to assess the role of national assembly in these issues. The results of the study indicated
that due to interference of military ranks in the civilian matters, the National Assembly
portrayed a non-autonomous body where majority of the decisions were made by president.
The guarantor of national assembly, 1973 constitution, was rigorously amended to curb most
of the functions of national assembly through Legal Framework Order (LFO), 2002. Cases of
political victimization were so severe that the main opposition leader was imprisoned
throughout the parliamentary years of Musharraf era. The study further evaluates several
incidences where the functions of the National Assembly were curbed, manipulated, and
diverted during the regime of Pervez Musharraf

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On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.