Parliament of Pakistan: Key functions, Structure, and Composition
The Legislature of Pakistan, also known as the Parliament, is the supreme legislative body of the country. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s laws, holding the executive accountable, and representing the will of the people. However, its history has been marked by periods of instability, military interventions, and a constant struggle for balance between civilian and military power.
Structure and Composition:
The Parliament of Pakistan is a bicameral legislature, consisting of:
- The Senate (Upper House): Represents the provinces and ensures equal representation regardless of population. It comprises 104 members elected by the provincial assemblies.
- The National Assembly (Lower House): Represents the people directly and is based on population. It comprises 342 members, with 272 elected directly through general elections and 70 reserved seats for women and minorities.
Legislature branch
| Branch | Hierarchy | Appointment | Powers | Removal |
| Legislative | Senate | Of 104 total Senators, each of the four provinces has 23 Senators, elected indirectly by the provincial assemblies through a system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. | Except in case of money bills, the Senate shares equal powers with the National Assembly on: (a) making legislation on subjects mentioned in the federal legislative list; (b) constitutional amendments; (c) impeachment of the President; (d) holding the federal cabinet collectively responsible. | Members of both houses of parliament could be disqualified from holding office on various grounds under Art. 63 and 63-A, including: if he/she is of unsound mind, or is undischarged insolvent; ceases to be a citizen or acquires citizenship of another state; holds office of profit in service of Pakistan; convicted by court for: acting against the ideology, integrity, or security of Pakistan, or brings into ridicule judiciary or armed forces of Pakistan, or for an offense involving moral turpitude; removed, dismissed or compulsorily retired from service of Pakistan; resigned from the parliamentary party of which he was a member, or abstains from voting, or votes against the party direction. |
| National Assembly | 4 Senator from Federal Capital and 8 Senators from FATA to be elected in manner prescribed by the President. | Money bills can only originate and be passed by the National Assembly. In all other matters (as mentioned above), it has co-equal powers with the Senate. | In addition to above grounds of disqualifications, members of the National Assembly could lose their offices when it is dissolved by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, or on President’s own initiative if the Prime Minister loses confidence of assembly and no other member has enough votes to become the Prime Minister. | |
| It has a total of 342 members distributed amongst provinces on the basis of population. | ||||
| Members against general seats are elected by direct popular vote from single member territorial constituencies across the four provinces, Federal Capital and FATA. | ||||
| Each province is a single constituency for seats reserved for women allocated to each province. | ||||
| The constituency for all seats reserved for non-Muslims is the whole country. | ||||
| Seats reserved for women and non-Muslim are elected through proportional representation from political parties’ list of candidates on the basis of total number of general seats secured by each political party: in case of seats reserved for women, from the province concerned in the National Assembly; and in case of reserved seats for non-Muslims, on the basis of votes obtained by such a party in the National Assembly as a whole |
Key functions
The Parliament performs several crucial functions, including:
- Legislation: The primary role of Parliament is to enact, amend, and repeal laws for the country. Bills can be introduced in either house and must be passed by both before becoming law.
- Budgetary Control: Parliament has the authority to approve the annual budget presented by the government. It scrutinizes government spending and ensures accountability.
- Oversight of the Executive: Parliament holds the government accountable through question hours, debates, and parliamentary committees that investigate government activities and performance.
- Representation of the People: Members of Parliament represent the interests of their constituents and bring their concerns to the national level.
- Amendment of the Constitution: Parliament holds the power to amend the Constitution of Pakistan, although this requires a two-thirds majority in both houses.
Challenges and Controversies:
Despite its importance, the Pakistani legislature has faced several challenges and controversies throughout its history:
- Military Intervention: Pakistan has experienced multiple military coups, which have resulted in the dissolution of Parliament and suspension of the Constitution. This has undermined the development of a stable democratic tradition.
- Civilian-Military Imbalance: The relationship between civilian and military institutions has often been fraught with tension, with the military exerting significant influence over political affairs.
- Political Instability: Frequent changes in government and political turmoil have hampered the Parliament’s ability to function effectively.
- Corruption: Allegations of corruption and lack of transparency have eroded public trust in the legislature.
- Lack of Representation: Critics argue that the current electoral system does not adequately represent the diverse voices and interests of the Pakistani population.
The Future of the Legislature:
The future of the Pakistani legislature depends on strengthening democratic institutions, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution. Key areas for improvement include:
- Strengthening Parliamentary Committees: Empowering committees to effectively scrutinize government policies and hold the executive accountable.
- Promoting Transparency and Accountability: Ensuring greater transparency in legislative processes and holding members of Parliament accountable for their actions.
- Enhancing Public Engagement: Increasing citizen participation in the legislative process through public hearings and consultations.
- Addressing Electoral Reforms: Implementing reforms to ensure a fairer and more representative electoral system.
In conclusion, the Legislature of Pakistan plays a critical role in the country’s governance. However, overcoming the historical challenges and addressing the existing weaknesses is crucial for ensuring a truly democratic and representative Parliament that can effectively serve the interests of the Pakistani people. The future of Pakistan’s democracy rests on the ability of its legislature to function effectively, independently, and transparently.