LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE IN PAKISTAN
In Pakistan the law making body is parliament. Pakistan has bicameral legislative system of
government. There are two types of government system, unicameral government system and
bicameral government system. In bicameral system it consist of two houses one upper house
and second lower house. Legislation is divided into two form: one Federal and Provincial
Legislation, and second Subordinate Legislation. (Article 143-144). Subordinate Legislation is
consist of two form: one Delegated Legislation, (Executive, judiciary, Municipal) and second
Autonomous (Public Universities, Corporations).
PARLIAMENTAIRAN SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN:
The parliamentarian system of Pakistan consist of two houses of two lower National Assembly
and upper house senate.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN (THE LOWER HOUSE):
In national assembly there are variable number of seats that depend on population majority of
individual provinces in national assembly as below.
SENATE (THE UPER HOUSE):
In senate there is equal and constant number of seats of every individual provinces as below.
The legislation is the fundamental responsibility of parliament (Malis-e-Shoora) (of two Houses
National Assembly and senate) and president. The legislation may be initiated by introducing of
Bill either House of the Parliament expect, financial Bill which can be only initiate in National
Assembly.
BILL:
A Bill is proposed law under the consideration of legislature. The procedure of Bill Is defined in
constitution of Pakistan 1973 in Article 70- 73.
TYPES OF BILL:
1: GOVERNMENT OR OFFICIAL BILLS:
Those bills which are introduced by ministers and passed by simple majority. (Half plus majority)
2: PRIVATE MEMBERS BILLS:
Those bills which are introduced by any member of the parliament and passed by simple majority.
3: CONSTTUTION AMENDMENT BILLS:
A bill attending to amendment in constitution and is required to be passed by two third majority by both
houses.
4: FINANCIAL BILL:
It is specie of government Bills it deals with the matters of revenue and expenditures it can only
be introduced in National Assembly and if passed then sent to senate within seven days.
Moreover it is the purgative of the national assembly to pass it with or without incorporating
the recommendation of the senate.
LAGISLATIVE PROCESS FROM BILL TO ACT:
STEP-1, INTRODUCING BILL:
Three copies of Bill in complete form, must be handed over to the secretary of the House with
ten days written notice for moving it the House.
STEP-2, ORDER OF THE DAY:
Government bill may be moved on any day of motion expect on the specified for private
member Bills.
Private member Bills shall be set down on the order of the day specified for Private Members
Bills.
Copies of the Bills shall be circulated to all members of House.
STEP-3, BILLS REPUGNANT TO ISLAM:
If a Bill seems to be repugnant to Islam. It shall be refer to the Council of Islamic Ideology for
advice.
STEP-4, FIRST READING- DISCUSSION ON THE PRINCIPLES OF BILL:
In the first reading only the heading or main principles of bill shall be discussed.
STEP-5, MOTION OF CONSIDERATION BY MEMBER IN CHARGE:
The member in charge of bill may present a motion of consideration .
STEP-6 REFFERS TO THE COMMITTEE:
The Bill (expect the money Bill) is than refer to concerned standing or select Committee of the
House foe recommendation.
STEP-7, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The committee may either to take Bill for consideration as a whole with some amendment or
may instruct for making some particular or addition provision to it.
STEP-8, 2nd READING – AMENDMENT:
In second reading the whole Bill clause by clause goes through the second reading.
The speaker shall decide as to any proposed amendment if fulfilling the conditions of
admissibility.
STEP-9, 3rd READING DEBATE:
In this stage the member of House argues in support or to reject the Bill.
Any amendment at this stage shall only be verbal.
STEP-10, VOTING:
After debate the speaker put the motion for the decision of the House .
STEP-11, TRANSMISSION OF BILL TO THE OTHER HOUSE:
Once a Bill (other than money Bill) has been passed by the House in which it was
introduced than it shall be transmitted to the other House.
In other House if any Bill (other than money Bill) is passed but with recommendation it
shall be sent back to the House from where it was originated.
This Bill with recommendation from the other House shall once again go through the
same procedure as if it was introduced for first time.
However, if the other House rejects the Bill, then it shall be discussed in joint sitting of
both of the House.
STEP12, PRESENTATION BEFORE THE PRESIDENT FOR ASSENT:
When a Bill has been passed for both of the House it then shall be presented before President
for his assent.
The president shall within ten days may either give his consent to the Bill in which as it shall
become Act of parliament or return the Bill to the Houses from where it originated with some
amendment and reconditions.
In case of return Bill, once again the whole procedure discussed above shall be
repeated.
Both the Houses may either incorporate the change the proposed by president or pass
the Bill with incorporate of said changes.
After re-passing the bill from both Houses it shall again ne presented before the
president for his assent.
This time the president is bound to give his assent to the Bill within ten days, However if
president fails to give his assent so .on the expiry of the tenth days the Bill shall
automatically become an Act of [parliament.
STEP-13, PUBLICATION IS OFFICAIL GAZETTE:
After becoming an Act of parliament it is to be notified by publishing in the official
gazette for general information.
IF ONE HOUSE CANCELL THE BILL:
1. If a Bill passed by senate and cancelled by National Assembly the senate cannot pass
the same Bill in again.
2. if a Bill is passed by National Assembly is cancelled by Senate the National Assembly
may pass the same bill in the ongoing session then again Senate cannot challenge the
same Bill.
POWER OF SENATE TO DELAY ANY BILL:
Senate can delay money bill for one moth (money bill can be initiate by National
Assembly).
Non money Bill can delay for one year.
