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.
