The Sindh Assembly has officially completed its second year in session, yet a significant backlog of over 500 questions submitted by lawmakers remains unanswered by various government departments. This persistent issue highlights ongoing challenges in legislative oversight and accountability within the provincial government. Despite the passage of time, many concerns raised by elected representatives have yet to receive formal responses, raising questions about the effectiveness of parliamentary procedures.
Throughout the second parliamentary year, the Assembly convened for a total of 56 working days. In contrast, 25 days were designated as holidays, and on 19 occasions, no sessions were held at all. This limited number of active days has contributed to the slow pace of legislative business and the accumulation of unresolved queries. Notably, the Chief Minister did not address any questions related to departments under his jurisdiction during this entire period, a fact that has drawn criticism from opposition members and political analysts alike.
In addition to unanswered questions, the Assembly has struggled with organizational inefficiencies. Elections for four standing committees, which play a crucial role in scrutinizing government activities and legislation, have yet to be conducted despite the Assembly entering its second year. Furthermore, even after some committee elections were held, four seats in the provincial assembly remain vacant, leaving certain constituencies without representation and weakening the Assembly’s overall functionality.
Over the course of the first two parliamentary years combined, the Sindh Assembly managed to pass 48 government bills. While this legislative output indicates some level of productivity, it has been overshadowed by concerns regarding the Assembly’s ability to effectively oversee government departments and hold them accountable. In the second year alone, members submitted 1,096 questions on a wide range of departmental issues, yet more than half of these remain unanswered. This gap between legislative inquiry and executive response undermines the Assembly’s role as a check on government operations.
It is also worth noting that certain departments, including those responsible for prisons, minerals, and services and general administration, have not had their issues formally discussed or placed on the Assembly’s agenda during the first two years. This omission points to potential neglect of critical sectors that require legislative attention and oversight. Meanwhile, the Assembly currently has over 25 parliamentary secretaries assigned to various departments, but nearly half of these officials have failed to respond to any questions related to their portfolios during House sessions, further highlighting a lack of engagement.
Participation levels among Assembly members have remained uneven, with a significant number of lawmakers remaining largely silent throughout proceedings, continuing a trend observed in previous years. Members submitted a total of 141 adjournment motions addressing various public concerns, but only four of these motions were actually debated on the floor, reflecting limited opportunities for urgent issues to be discussed in a timely manner. Out of 393 resolutions submitted over the two-year period, only 35 were passed, while a majority—305—were withdrawn, indicating challenges in building consensus or prioritizing legislative initiatives.
On the oversight front, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly convened approximately 49 meetings during the second parliamentary year to review government expenditures and financial accountability. However, the committee did not hold any meetings during the final two months of the year due to internal disagreements and differences among members. This hiatus has raised concerns about the continuity and effectiveness of financial oversight mechanisms within the provincial legislature.
As the Sindh Assembly moves forward, addressing these structural and procedural shortcomings will be essential to improving governance and restoring public confidence. The backlog of unanswered questions, vacant committee seats, and limited debate on critical issues underscore the need for reforms that enhance transparency, accountability, and active participation among elected representatives. Without such measures, the Assembly risks falling short of its mandate to effectively represent the people of Sindh and oversee the provincial government’s performance.
