Role of Senate

The Senate is the second chamber of the Parliament. It is independent from, and complements the
work of, the National Assembly. The Senate shares the task of making and shaping laws and
checking and challenging the work of the government.

The role of the Senate is to promote national cohesion and harmony and to alleviate fears of the smaller provinces
regarding domination by any one province because of its majority, in the National Assembly.

The Senate of Pakistan is a body which represents the provinces/territories of the country and promotes a feeling of

equality, peace and harmony, which is so essential for the growth and prosperity of a nation. Thus, the Senate in
Pakistan, over the years, has emerged as an essential organ and a stabilizing factor of the federation

Legislation
 Unless both the Houses pass a bill and it receives President’s assent it cannot become a law
except in the case of money bill which is prerogative of National Assembly but Senate can make
recommendations within 14 days.

 If a Bill transmitted to the other House is not passed within 90 days or a bill sent to the other
House with amendments is not passed by that House with such amendments, the Bill, at the
request of House in which it originated, shall be considered in joint sitting where it can be passed
by simple majority.

 President’s assent in 10 days. If the President refers back a bill to Parliament it is considered in
a joint session and if passed by majority is deemed to have been passed by both Houses. Sent
again to President to shall give assent in 10 days failing which assent shall be deemed to have
been given.

Members scrutinize the work of the government during question time and debates in the chamber, where government
ministers must respond. Various tools of oversight are :-

Question Hour

Adjournment Motion
Calling attention notice

Zero Hour

Committees

Question Hour
The first hour of every sitting of Senate, known as the “Question Hour”, is available for asking and answering of
questions. In very exceptional cases, the “Question Hour‟ is dispensed with to take up some other urgent business only

if the House unanimously agrees.

There shall be no question hour on a day designated as private members’ day.

It has a special significance in the proceedings of Parliament. Asking of questions is an inherent and unfettered

parliamentary right of members. It is during the Question Hour that the members can ask questions on every aspect of

administration and Governmental activity. Government policies in national as well as international spheres come into

sharp focus as the members try to elicit pertinent information during the Question Hour.

Calling Attention Notices

A member may, with the prior permission of the Chairman, call the attention of a Minister to any matter of urgent

public importance and the Minister may make a brief statement or ask for time to make a statement at a later hour or
date.

Zero Hours
Senate Rules provide that the last hour of a sitting shall be utilized as Zero Hour to take up matters of urgent public

importance. During the Zero Hour, the members get a chance to raise matters of public importance that need immediate

attention.

Committees
Recognized as political nerve ends, the gatherers of information, the sifters of alternatives, the refiners of legislative

detail, and the eyes and ears of the Parliament, much of the business of the House is handled by the Committees. The

Senate of Pakistan has an efficient Committee System which has established traditions of sovereignty of the Parliament
over the years and has dealt with a wide range of issues of national importance and public interest.
Senate Committees

 Standing committees
 Functional Committees
 Committee on Government
Assurances
 Committee on Problems of Less
Developed Areas
 Committee on Human Rights
 Committee on Rules of
procedure
 Privileges and House Committee

Committee Membership: With a total membership of not more than fourteen members, that are elected by the

Senate, the Minister or Adviser concerned shall be an ex-officio member of the Committee; provided that the Minister
or Adviser shall not be entitled to vote as an ex-officio member unless, he is a member of the Senate.

A member cannot be a member of more than five Standing Committees at the same time.

Committee Rules: The Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges considers matters regarding the procedure

and conduct of business in the House and disposes of the Privilege motions moved by the members of the House. As

per Rule 163, all other matters including the composition and election to this Committee shall be regulated mutatis

mutandis by rules relating to Standing Committee appearing hereafter; while the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs

shall be its ex-officio member.