by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal
The Library of the National Assembly of Pakistan is a treasure trove of knowledge and historical records, serving as a vital resource for legislators, researchers, and scholars. Its extensive collection includes a wide range of documents and publications that reflect the legislative history, political developments, and legal evolution of Pakistan and other countries. This library plays a crucial role in supporting the legislative process by providing access to essential information and facilitating informed decision-making.
Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq envisions enhancing the National Assembly Library’s capacity through the integration of modern technology, aiming to transform it into a state-of-the-art knowledge hub. By leveraging digital tools and advanced information systems, he plans to streamline access to the library’s extensive resources, making them more readily available to legislators, researchers, and staff. Through technological advancements, he seeks to elevate the library’s role in supporting legislative processes, fostering informed decision-making, and promoting a culture of continuous learning and intellectual growth within the National Assembly.
One of the notable collections in the library is the Debates of Constituent Assembly of Pakistan and National Assembly of Pakistan, spanning from August 10, 1947 to June 12, 2024. These debates offer a comprehensive record of the discussions and deliberations that have taken place in Pakistan’s National Assembly over the decades. They provide invaluable insights into the legislative process, policy decisions, and the socio-political context of different eras. Similarly, the library houses the debates of other legislative bodies such as the Legislative Assembly of India from 1921 to 1946, Constituent Assembly of India from 1947 to 1949 as well as the parliamentary debates from 1950 to 1954. These records are essential for understanding the parliamentary history and legislative developments in the Indian subcontinent during the colonial and post-colonial periods.
The library’s collection of budget documents from 1947 onwards and the Pakistan Economic Survey from 1947-48 to 2022-23 are essential resources for understanding the financial and economic policies of Pakistan. These documents provide detailed information on government expenditures, revenue generation, economic performance, and development strategies over the years. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Reports from 1947 to 2010 and the Auditor General Reports from 2000-01 to 2021-22 offer critical insights into the accountability and financial management of public funds.
Legal researchers and practitioners can benefit from the extensive collection of legal publications in the library. This includes Pakistan Legal Decisions (PLD) from 1947 onwards, the Supreme Court Monthly Review (SCMR) from 1968 onwards, the Pakistan Law Journal (PLJ) from 1973 onwards, the National Law Reporter (NLR) from 1978 to 2017, Pakistan Labour Cases (PLC) from 1981 onwards, Civil Law Cases (CLC) from 1979 onwards, the Monthly Law Digest (MLD) from 1984 onwards, and the Yearly Law Reporter (YLR) from 1999 onwards. These publications provide comprehensive coverage of judicial decisions, legal precedents, and case law, serving as indispensable tools for legal research and practice.
The library also holds records of tribunal decisions from 1980 to 2017 and the Pakistan Code, which comprises 18 volumes covering laws from 1836 to 2011. The Gazette of Pakistan, both extraordinary (Part I, II, III) from 1947 to 2021 and weekly (Part I, II, III, IV, V, VI) from 1947 to 2020, is another vital resource, providing official government notifications, legislative enactments, and other important announcements. The Council of Islamic Ideology Reports from 1977-78 to 2015-2016 reflect the religious and ideological discourse in Pakistan, offering insights into the recommendations and guidelines provided by the Council on various issues.
The library’s collection of rare documents is particularly noteworthy, featuring historically significant publications such as the proceedings of the Annual Meetings of the All-India Muslim League, the All-India Muslim League Annual Report of 1910, speeches by key figures like Mr. Syed Nabiullah and Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and various reports and addresses related to the All-India Muslim League and the Pakistan movement. These documents are invaluable for understanding the historical and political context of the struggle for independence and the formation of Pakistan.
The library’s rare documents collection includes the Proceedings of the Annual Meetings of the All-India Muslim League, held in Amritsar on 30th and 31st December, 1908. These proceedings provide detailed accounts of the discussions and decisions made during these early meetings, shedding light on the formative years of the All-India Muslim League. The All-India Muslim League Annual Report of 1910 offers insights into the activities and achievements of the League during that year, reflecting its growing influence and organizational structure. The speeches by Mr. Syed Nabiullah Bar-at-Law, President of the All-India Muslim League, during the Nagpur Session in 1910, highlight the key issues and challenges faced by the Muslim community at that time.
The Supplement to the Proceedings of the 10th Sessions of the All-India Muslim League, held in Calcutta on 30th and 31st December, 1917, and 1st January, 1918, provides additional details and resolutions passed during these significant sessions. The History of the Origins of Fourteen Points by Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is a critical document that outlines the rationale and background behind Jinnah’s famous Fourteen Points, which became a cornerstone of the Muslim League’s demands.
The Presidential Address by Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal during the Allahabad Session in December 1930 is another significant document, reflecting Iqbal’s vision and ideas about the future of Muslims in India. The All-India Muslim League Presidential Address by Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the Lucknow Session in October 1937 is a key speech that highlights Jinnah’s leadership and his stance on various political issues. The Letters of Allama Iqbal to Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, with a foreword by Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, provide a personal and intimate glimpse into the correspondence between these two influential leaders.
The Resolutions of the All-India Muslim League from May 1924 to December 1936 document the various resolutions passed by the League, reflecting its evolving policies and strategies. The Presidential Addresses of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah from 1937 to 1943, including sessions held in Lucknow, Calcutta, Patna, Lahore, Madras, Allahabad, Delhi, and Karachi, are invaluable resources for understanding Jinnah’s leadership and vision during a crucial period in the struggle for independence.
The Report of the Constitution Commission of 1961 and the Report of the Constitution Committee Presented to the National Assembly of Pakistan on 31st December, 1972, are critical documents that provide insights into the constitutional development and legislative framework of Pakistan. The library also holds significant constitutional documents such as The Government of India Act, 1935, The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1956, The Constitution of the Republic of Pakistan, 1962, The Interim Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1972, the Draft Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1972, and The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973.
Other rare documents include the List of the Members of the Council of the All-India Muslim League from 1939 and 1941, which provide information on the key members of the League during those years. The Jinnah – Gandhi Talks in September 1944, with a foreword by Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, document the historic discussions between these two leaders. The Manifesto of the Punjab Provincial Muslim League of 1944 outlines the League’s policies and objectives at a provincial level. The Gazette of India, New Delhi, dated 26th July 1947, includes the announcement by the Governor General to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, marking a significant moment in the history of the subcontinent.
The library’s role extends beyond its vast collection. It also hosted the International Conference of Librarians of Asia & Pacific in 1992, highlighting its significance as a center of knowledge and information exchange. The Inter Library Loan (ILL) service facilitates the sharing of information and materials with other libraries, including the Senate of Pakistan, Provincial Assembly Libraries, National Library of Pakistan, and National Archives Library. This service enhances access to information and resources, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing among libraries.
The library also hosts major subjects of books covering a wide range of disciplines, including general knowledge, bibliography, library science, journalism, philosophy, psychology, ethics, religion, and various branches of Islamic studies such as Quran, Seerah, Hadith, Islamic law, Islamic education, Islamic politics, Islamic economics, Islamic jurisprudence, and Islamic history. Other subjects include women studies, political theory, political science, politics and government, democracy, terrorism, human rights, elections, international relations, diplomacy, parliamentary practice, commonwealth studies, economics, finance, international economics, economic development, law, constitutional law, United Nations publications, criminal law, labour law, civil law, public administration, bureaucracy, wars, military science, commerce, medical science, computer science, education, business, literature, fiction, history, travel, biography, collective biography, reference books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, United Nations treaty series, census reports, Halsbury’s Statutes, the English & Empire Digest, and the Complete Cases of Supreme Court Cases.
In addition to its physical collection, the library provides newspapers and periodicals to key figures such as the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, Chairpersons of the Standing Committees, Secretary and Officers of the Secretariat, and Members’ Service Centres. During session days, sets of newspapers are also provided to the lobbies and the Prime Minister’s Chamber. This ensures that key stakeholders are well-informed of current events and developments.
The library has embraced digital transformation to expand its reach and improve accessibility. It has developed an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), allowing users to search for and locate materials within premises of Parliament. Digital archives of parliamentary documents and other key resources are also available, making it easier for users to access important information from anywhere. This digital shift is particularly beneficial in the contemporary context, where remote access to information is increasingly important.
The library offers a range of specialized services to support legislative activities. These include the provision of reference services to the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), and Officers of the Secretariat, as well as legislative reference support during proceedings of the House and meetings of the Standing, Select, and Special Committees. The library is responsible for updating the Constitution, Federal Laws, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly of Pakistan, and the Rules of Business, 1973. It also compiles speeches from proceedings for sitting and former MNAs as needed.
In addition to serving legislators, the library provides reference services to scholars and researchers from universities and organizations, as well as telephonic reference services. It offers technical and documentation support to MNAs and the Legislation Branch during the passage of the budget, other National Assembly sessions, and Standing Committees. The library also undertakes the cataloging and indexing of books into the Koha database for speedy retrieval and binding of documents and Standing Committee reports for various sections of the Secretariat.
The Library of the National Assembly of Pakistan provides critical support to lawmakers, researchers, and the public by offering access to a vast array of resources and services. Its commitment to preserving and disseminating knowledge ensures that it remains a vital institution in the promotion of informed decision-making and intellectual growth. As it continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges, the library stands as a testament to the enduring importance of knowledge and education in the pursuit of progress and development.
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