Completion of 5 Years Term of National Assembly of Pakistan. (2007-8)

1. Article 50 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan envisages that there shall be a Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) of Pakistan consisting of the President and two Houses to be known as the Senate and the National Assembly. Article 51 of the Constitution delineates the number of seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan and their allocation, while Article 52 proclaims that the National Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved, continue for a term of five years from the day of its first meeting and shall stand dissolved at the expiration of its term.2. The current National Assembly is the 7th Assembly elected under the Constitution of 1973. It took oath on 16th November, 2002, and is going to complete its constitutional span of five years on 1 6th November, 2007. It is the first ever National Assembly in the Parliamentary history of Pakistan which will complete its tenure.3. The National Assembly elected Ch. Amir Hussain as its Speaker and Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan as Deputy Speaker on 19th November, 2302 while it resolved its confidence in Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali for being the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 30th December, 2002. Moulana Fazalur Rehman was recognized as Opposition Leader on 24th May, 2004. Later on, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali resigned from premiership and Ch. Shujaat Hussain became Prime Minister (from 30th June to 23~ August, 2004). After certain political developments, Ch. Shujaat Hussain resigned and Mr. Shaukat Aziz became the Prime Minister of Pakistan in accordance with the provision of Article 91 (2A) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.4. Besides being the first ever Assembly heading towards completion of its terra, a number of other distinctive features place it on a prominent pinnacle in the parliamentary and political history of Pakistan which include the distinction of it being first Assembly having all graduate Members, the largest Assembly ever elected under the Constitution of 1973 in result of increased membership of 217 to 342, and last but not the least, the first Assembly giving larger representation to the women by allocating 60 seats for them.of national as well as of international Importance, which include twice election of President, legislation on important regional and national issues, adoption, of resolutions relating to the problems being faced by the Muslim Ummah across the world and condemning terrorism in its all forms.5. During its life period, the National Assembly undertook various tasks of national as well as of international importance, which include twice election of President, legislation on important regional and national issues, adoption of resolutions relating to the problems being faced by the Muslim Ummah across the world and condemning terrorism in its all forms.6. The National Assembly held a total of 43 sessions in last five years and met for 607 working days. During this period, it discussed matters of national importance for 1236 hours, passed five fiscal budgets and 50 Bills, replied to 10079 questions, disposed of 2907 adjournment motions, 692 questions of privilege and 3155 Calling Attention Notices.7. The Assembly also’ remained engaged with a variety of business besides debating a host Of current issues of public importance like elimination of terrorism; privatization policy of the government; publication of blasphemous caricatures; law and order situation in the country; floods; construction of new dams and prevailing situation in FATA. Some of the important legislation that the present Assembly has at its credit are the Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 2003; the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation Act, 2003; the 4llegal Dispossession Act, 2003; the National Security Council Act, 2004; the Export Control of Goods, Technologies, Material and Equipment related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery Systems Act, 2004; the Injured Persons (Medical Aid) Act, 2004; and the Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act, 2006; etc.8. The National Assembly of Pakistan also carried out a comprehensive review of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business to bring them in conformity with the amendments made in the Constitution and the conventions and practices developed over the time and adopted the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007 on 23rd February, 2007.9. The role of Standing Committees in scrutinizing the legislative proposals of Government as well as Private Members, and exercising parliamentary oversight over all subjects was also enhanced to keep a vigilant eye on the performance of Ministries. For this purpose, the number of Standing Committees was increased to match the number of Ministries and Divisions.10. The completion of full constitutional age of present Assembly on 15th November, 2007 expresses the resolve of Pakistani nation in establishing parliamentary governance in the country, and their faith in the democratic norms.On completion of 5 Years term of National Assembly, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 15/- denomination issued by Pakistan Post on November 15, 2007.TERMS OF SALEThe Commemorative Postage Stamps will be available for sale from November 15, 2007 at all important Post Offices in the country.Overseas orders for Stamps, First Day of Issue Covers and Leaflets should be addressed to the Managerr Philatelic Bureau Karachi GPO or the Manager, National Philatelic Bureau, lslamabad GPO, accompanied by a Bank Draft or Crossed Cheque encashable in Pakistan.