Govt saves face after ‘low-quorum start’ in National Assembly

Govt saves face after 'low-quorum start' in National Assembly. Syed Irfan Raza Published August 20, 2026 Updated August 20, 2026 07: 42am.

Key points

• PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman additionally produced brief appearances during Wed­nesday's proceedings, with both men exchanging views on the house floor.
• Manages to complete quorum; seven bills tabled, eight reports laid Bilawal, Fazl, Hamza Shehbaz create brief appearances Minister fears ransom payment to Somali pirates could encourage more abductions.
• When a good number of PML-N members were in the house, allowing proceedings to resume, the recounting of MNAs began at 3: 55pm.
• A rare appearance by PML-N stalwart and PM Shehbaz Sharif's son, Hamza, became a highlight of the day for his party colleagues.
• The mover, Abdul Qadir Patel, disputed the minister's claim, adding that he would resign if the minister was right.

ISLAMABAD: After initially facing embarrassment due to the low attendance of treasury members in the National Assembly on Wednesday, the administration eventually managed to complete quorum and take up almost day's entire agenda.

On Tuesday, the National Assembly had witnessed an unprecedented session when 43 members spoke on points of order as the PPP managed to compel the administration to virtually suspend the heavy private member's day agenda. It included 21 bills.

As Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah initiated Question Hour, at the outset of the proceedings on Wednesday, both opposition and PPP members criticised the administration over the absence of federal and state ministers.

He immediately suspended the session after the opposition pointed out a lack of quorum. Afterwards, opposition members staged a walkout, with only a handful of PPP members stayed behind.

While discussions were held on two calling-attention notices, subsequently, seven bills were tabled and eight different reports were laid.

With the PPP's threat to oppose any legislation until the redressal of their grievances hanging over proceedings, four bills that were scheduled for passage on Wed­nesday were skipped, ostensibly to ensure the smooth conduct of house business.

For context, a rare appearance by PML-N stalwart and PM Shehbaz Sharif's son, Hamza, became a highlight of the day for his party colleagues. This person gathered around him and chanted slogans of "Hamza Shehbaz Sharif Zindabad".

On a calling-attention notice regarding the 10 Pakistani crew members of a vessel held hostage by Somali pirates, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry remarked the problem had already been discussed in the NA on Tuesday, adding that all-out efforts were being created to bring the Pakistanis back to the country.

Meanwhile, the mover, Abdul Qadir Patel, disputed the minister's claim, adding that he would resign if the minister was right. Mr Chaudhry accepted the challenge.

Mr Patel remarked the Pakistani crew were abducted five months ago, and since then the administration has been making "false promises" of their return.

In response, Mr Chaudhry remarked the pirates had demanded $3 million as ransom, and the administration was reluctant to pay it since, if it did, it may open the floodgates for others to do the same.

According to MQM leader Farooq Sattar, if the administration could not pay the ransom, his party could try to raise funds through charity. He additionally offered to contribute Rs10m each from the development funds the 22 MQM MNAs received for their constituencies.

Nevertheless, the minister for parliamentary affairs stated the administration did not provide funds directly to MNAs for the development of their areas.

On another calling-attention notice, mo­­ved by PTI's Asad Qaisar regarding a ban on the supply of urea to Khyber Pa­­kh­tu­n­khwa, Food Security Minister Rana Tanvir asserted the step was taken after reports that urea was being applied by terrorists to manufacture improvised explosive devices in the troubled areas of KP.

Taken together, the developments around govt saves face after 'low-quorum start' in National Assembly point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.