Islamabad, August 21 — Pakistan's National Assembly is facing an unusual and persistent problem: a rat infestation that has turned the country's parliament into a nighttime playground for the rodents. According to a BBC report, the infestation has become so severe that it has led to significant damage, including the destruction of important documents.

The issue came to light while officials were searching for records from a 2008 parliamentary meeting. Although the documents were eventually found, many had been chewed up by the rats. Zafar Sultan, the spokesperson for the National Assembly, described the rats as being so large that even the resident cats are frightened of them. The situation has escalated to the point where the authorities have allocated Rs. 12 lakh annually to tackle the problem.

The infestation is particularly severe on the second floor of the parliament building, where most political meetings are held, including those of the leader of the opposition. The rats remain hidden during the day but take over the building in the evenings, dashing through the halls in what has been described as a "marathon." New employees are often terrified when they first encounter the rats, while more seasoned staff have grown accustomed to their nightly presence.

The second floor also houses the dining hall and is a frequent venue for standing committee meetings, making the rat infestation a serious concern. The situation has become so dire that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched a special project to control the rat population. In addition to deploying cats capable of hunting the rats, special traps are being placed throughout the parliament to catch the rodents.

The infestation has already led to the destruction of many important national documents, prompting the CDA to take these exceptional measures. As the problem continues, the parliament's efforts to regain control of the building from its rodent invaders have become a matter of national importance.