Name: Azam Ali & Awais Shaikh

Subject: History of South Asia

Semester: 3rd

Introduction
The name of the Parliament is Majlis-e-shoora, it is the supreme law making body of the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan, The constitution of Pakistan provides a Parliamentary form of
government and it is bicameral federal Legislature body Composed of the President of Pakistan
and two houses, the Senate (upper House of the Parliament) and the National Assembly (Lower
House of the Parliament. The president, as head of the state the president can dissolve the
National Assembly, only on the Prime Minister's advice. The members of the National
Assembly are directly elected and it consist of 342 members, however, the senate is consist of
100 members, National Assembly was based on the population of each province. Equal
provincial membership in the Senate.

National Assembly
Qaumi Assembly (National Assembly of Pakistan) is the lower house of the parliament. The
National Assembly has 342 seats, 272 of which are directly elected, 60 are reserved for women
and a further 10 for religious minorities. The National Assembly of Pakistan is the country's
sovereign legislative body. It embodies the will of the people to let themselves be governed
under the democratic, multi-party Federal Parliamentary System. The National Assembly
makes laws for the Federation in respect of the powers enumerated in the Federal Legislative
list. Through its debates, adjournment motion, question hour and Standing Committees, the
National Assembly keeps as check over the Executive and ensures that the government
functions within the parameters set out in the Constitution and does not violate the fundamental
rights of citizens. Only the National Assembly, through its Public Accounts Committee,
scrutinizes public spending and exercises control of expenditure incurred by the government.
The Members of the National Assembly are to be elected by direct and free vote in accordance
with law.
Article 50 of the Constitution provides that the Parliament of Pakistan shall consist of president
and the two houses known as the National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly
has an edge over the Senate by legislating exclusively on money matters. With exception to
money bills, however, both the houses work together to carry out the basic work of the
Parliament, i.e. law making. The bill relating to the Federal Legislative List can be originated
in either house. If the house passed the bill through majority vote, it shall be transmitted to the
other house. If the other house passes it without amendment, it shall be presented to the
president for assent. If the bill, transmitted to the other house, is not passed within ninety days
or rejected, it shall be considered in a joint sitting to be summoned by the president on the
request of the house in which the bill was originated. If the bill is passed in the joint sitting,
with or without amendments, by the votes of majority of the members of the two houses, it
shall be presented to the president for assent.

If the bill is presented to the president for assent, he shall assent to the bill in not later than ten
days. If it is not a money bill, the president may return the bill to the Majlis-e-Shoora with a
message requesting that the bill be reconsidered and that an amendment specified in the
message be considered. The Majlis-e-Shoora shall reconsider the bill in a joint sitting. If the
bill is passed again, with or without amendment, by vote of the majority of the members present
and voting, it shall be presented to the president and the president shall give his assent within
ten days; failing which such assent shall be deemed to have been given. Under the Constitution,
the Parliament may also legislate for two or more Provinces by consent and request made by
those Provinces. If the Federal Government proclaims State of Emergency in any province, the
power to legislate about that province is vested in the Parliament. But the bills passed by the
Parliament during the State of Emergency, shall cease to be in force after the expiration of six
months from the date Emergency is lifted. Nevertheless, the steps already taken under these
Acts shall remain valid. In exercises of its constitutional role, The Parliament also has other
very important duties to perform. The president, who is at the apex, is elected by members of
both houses of the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies. The Prime Minister, who heads
the Cabinet and is meant to aid and advise the president in his functions, belongs to the National
Assembly. He enjoys the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly.
Members of the Cabinet are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister.

In the formation of the Cabinet the major portion (75%), goes to National Assembly while the
rest (25%) are taken from the Senate. There is a democratic procedure, under article 95 of the
constitution, to remove the Prime Minister from his office if he or she loses confidence of the
majority of the members of the National Assembly. In this respect a resolution for a vote of no-
confidence is moved by not less than 20% of the total membership of the National Assembly.
If the resolution is passed by majority of the total membership of the National Assembly, the
Prime Minister immediately ceases to hold the office. Similarly, for the removal or
impeachment of the president, not less than one-half of the total membership of either house
may give in writing its intention to do so, to the Speaker National Assembly, or, as the case
may be, to the Chairman Senate, for moving a resolution for the purpose. In a joint sitting of
the two houses, convened for the purpose, and after the deliberations, if the resolution is passed
by the votes of not less than two thirds of the total membership of the Parliament, the president
shall cease to hold office immediately on the passing of the resolution. In case emergency is
proclaimed, the Parliament holds the authority to extend the term of the National Assembly.
Under the Constitution, the Parliament may also, on the request of the Federal Government, by
law, confer functions upon officers or authorities subordinate to the Federal Government.

Senate
The main purpose for the creation of the Aiwan-e Bala (English: Senate of Pakistan) was to
give equal representation to all the federating units since the membership of the National
Assembly was based on the population of each province. Equal provincial membership in the
Senate, thus, balances the provincial inequality in the National Assembly and dispels doubts
and apprehension, if any, regarding deprivation and exploitation. 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, is a body which represents the provinces/territories of the country and promotes a
feeling of equality, peace and harmony, which is 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.

The Senate consists of 100 members, of whom 14 members are elected by each Provincial
Assembly, 4 members are elected from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) by the
members of National Assembly from these areas, 2 members, 1 woman and 1 technocrat is
elected from the Federal Capital by the members of National Assembly, 4 women and 4
technocrats are elected by the members of each Provincial Assembly. And 1 non-Muslim
member is selected from each province. The breakup of seats allocated to each province,
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Federal Capital, women and ulema/technocrats.
It is the responsibility of the Chief Election Commissioner to hold and make arrangements for
the Senate elections in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of
a single transferable vote through electoral colleges. The term of the members of the Senate is
6 years. However, the term of the first group of the Senators, who shall retire after completion
of first 3 years of the Senate, is determined by drawing of lots by the Chief Election
Commissioner.

Provinces / General Technocrats Women Non- Total

Territories / Ulema Muslims
 Sindh 14 4 4 1 23
Punjab 14 4 4 1 23
Balochistan 14 4 4 1 23
Khyber 14 4 4 1 23
Pakhtunkhwa
Federal 2 1 1 - 4
Capital
FATA 4 - - - 4
TOTAL 62 17 17 4 100

Electoral Procedure
At the national level, Pakistan elects a bicameral legislature, the Parliament of Pakistan, which
consists of a directly elected National Assembly of Pakistan and a Senate, whose members are
chosen by elected provincial legislators. The Prime Minister of Pakistan is elected by the
National Assembly. The president is elected by the Electoral college, which consists of both
houses of Parliament together with the provincial assemblies. In addition to the national
parliament and the provincial assemblies, Pakistan also has more than five thousand elected
local governments. Elections in Pakistan are conducted under the supervision of Election
Commission of Pakistan. The country offers a multi-party system, with numerous parties.
Frequently, no single party holds a majority, and therefore parties must form alliances during
or after elections, with coalition governments forming out of negotiations between parties. The
Parliament of Pakistan consists of the president and two houses to be known respectively as
National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly consists of 342 Seats including 60
seats reserved for Women and 10 Seats reserved for Non-Muslims. The Senate consists of 104
Members including 17 Seats reserved for Women and 17 Seats reserved for Technocrats and
Ulema. The Members of the National Assembly are elected for a term of 5 years whereas the
Members of the Senate are elected for a term of 6 years with staggered elections every 3 years
The Parliament of Pakistan viz the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan – met on 10 August 1947
in the old Sindh Assembly Building at Karachi. It was in this venue that the Objectives
Resolution, which now serves as the Grundnorm of Pakistan, was passed. In 1956, the first
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was adopted in Karachi at the same Sindh
Assembly building which also passed as the Parliament of Pakistan. After the adoption of the
Second Constitution of 1962, Parliament sessions were arranged both at Dhaka and a newly
constructed building (Ayub Hall) at Rawalpindi. The Parliament was unicameral. At the first
session of the Parliament at the Ayub Hall, the martial law, imposed in 1958, was revoked.
Later, in October, 1966, the Parliament was shifted to Dhaka. From 1972 onward, the State
Bank auditorium in Islamabad functioned as the National Assembly of Pakistan. The Interim
Constitution of Pakistan was adopted here in April, 1972. It was here that the first bicameral
legislature of Pakistan was also born after the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
was adopted in 1973. It was again here that the Martial Law, imposed in July, 1977, was
revoked on 30 December 1985. The Parliament – the Senateand the National Assembly – have
acquired a permanent abode in the present Parliament House, which was inaugurated on 28
May 1986. The Hall was renovated on the orders of the Speaker and inaugurated by the Prime
Minister of Pakistan on 3 November 1996.
Senate Representative and also distribution of the seats
Senate of Pakistan is the Upper House of the Parliament. Being the House of the Federation,
the Senate of Pakistan gives equal representation to all the federating units in order to promote
national cohesion and harmony by counterbalancing the numerical disparity among provinces
in the National Assembly. Senate of Pakistan is a permanent House, which symbolizes a
process of continuity in the national affairs. Senate of Pakistan was formed with a principle of
'Chamber of continuity.' In order to ensure smooth transition of power of lower house and
government, this house remains in place to oversee the process. The matters in federal
legislative list can be initiated in any of the Houses, except money bill, which is sent to the
Senate only for recommendations. The term of the Members of Senate is six years, however,
one half of its members retire after every three years.

Conclusion
The Parliament of Pakistan also known as Majlis-e-Shoora, the Parliament is the supreme law
making body of the state, Constitution of Pakistan provides Parliamentary form of government
where the President is the head of the state and Prime Minister is the Head of the government.
The Parliament of Pakistan consist of two house (senate Upper House) and National Assembly
(Lower House).

Members of the National Assembly are elected by direct and free vote in accordance with law.
The National Assembly has 342 seats, 272 of which are directly elected, 60 are reserved for
women and a further 10 for religious minorities. The National Assembly of Pakistan is the
country's sovereign legislative body. It embodies the will of the people to let themselves be
governed under the democratic, multi-party Federal Parliamentary System.
The composition of the senate seats that the 14 members are elected by each Provincial
Assembly, 4 members are elected from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) by the
members of National Assembly from these areas, 2 members, 1 woman and 1 technocrat is
elected from the Federal Capital by the members of National Assembly, 4 women and 4
technocrats are elected by the members of each Provincial Assembly. And 1 non-Muslim
member is selected from each province.
References

 Senate of Pakistan. (n.d.).

https://senate.gov.pk/en/essence.php?id=10&catid=4&subcatid=138&leftcatid=125&

cattitle=A

 Parliament’s role in Pakistan’s democratic transition - Pakistan. (2013, September

18). ReliefWeb. https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/parliament%E2%80%99s-role-

pakistan%E2%80%99s-democratic-transition

 Shahid, M. (2023, March 22). Composition powers and functions of National

Assembly. https://www.educationsentence.com/2023/03/Composition-Powers-and-

Functions-of-National-Assembly.html?m=1

 Parliament’s role in Pakistan’s democratic transition. (2016, August 9). Crisis

Group. https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-asia/pakistan/parliament-s-role-

pakistan-s-democratic-transition

 Senate of Pakistan. (n.d.-b). https://senate.gov.pk/en/index.php?id=-1&cattitle=Home

 National Assembly of Pakistan. (n.d.). https://na.gov.pk/en/content.php?id=75