The National Assembly rules require that every House sitting commences with recitation from the Holy Quran followed by its Urdu translation, a Hadith, a Naat, and the national anthem — in that same order — before any parliamentary business is transacted. The Hadith was added in 2020 and the national anthem in 2018.
Why it matters for the National Assembly proceedings?
The opening protocol reflects the Assembly’s constitutional character as the supreme representative body of an Islamic republic. The sequence situates parliamentary proceedings within a framework of faith and national identity.
What is in it for citizens?
For citizens observing Assembly proceedings — whether physically or through broadcast — the opening ritual marks the formal commencement of the sitting. Business conducted before these formalities would be procedurally invalid. Substantive business, including Question Hour, begins only after this protocol is complete.
Source: Rule 48(2), Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007
The proceedings of National Assembly are governed by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. The current rules were passed on 23 February 2007 and have since been amended 20 times.
This post is part of FAFEN’s series on parliamentary literacy. Read more of this series here.
