House of federation: What does the Senate do?
Upper house provides equal representation to federating units
PHOTO: FILE
The upper house provides equal representation to federating units in keeping with its constitutional role: facilitating national integration. The Senate functions autonomously and complements the work of the National Assembly.
Areas of activity
The work of the upper house encompasses three chief areas of activity. These include legislation, oversight and representing federating units.
Legislation
No bill can become law until it has been passed by both houses and received presidential assent. Money Bills constitute the sole exception on this account. However, the Senate can present suggestions on it.
A bill can be passed at a joint session of parliament with simple majority if legislation transmitted to another house is not cleared in 90 days, or if amended legislation sent to another house is not passed with the changes.
Explore the data: ECP releases final list of candidates for 2018 Senate election
Securing presidential assent carries a 10-day limit. If a bill is referred back to parliament it is considered in a joint session. Upon securing a plurality of votes, a bill is deemed to have been passed by both houses. The bill is then forwarded again to the president for assent. The bill is deemed to have secured presidential assent if this does not happen before the 10-day limit expires.
Oversight and accountability
Senators can employ myriad of mediums to hold the government accountable. These include question hour, adjournment motions, call attention notices, zero hour and committee debates.
Representing federating units
The Senate is tasked with securing the interests of federating units, according to the Constitution. Every province is afforded equal representation to ensure parity. The use of proportional voting in Senate elections also ensures minority representation.
Source of information: Senate of Pakistan
Areas of activity
The work of the upper house encompasses three chief areas of activity. These include legislation, oversight and representing federating units.
Legislation
No bill can become law until it has been passed by both houses and received presidential assent. Money Bills constitute the sole exception on this account. However, the Senate can present suggestions on it.
A bill can be passed at a joint session of parliament with simple majority if legislation transmitted to another house is not cleared in 90 days, or if amended legislation sent to another house is not passed with the changes.
Explore the data: ECP releases final list of candidates for 2018 Senate election
Securing presidential assent carries a 10-day limit. If a bill is referred back to parliament it is considered in a joint session. Upon securing a plurality of votes, a bill is deemed to have been passed by both houses. The bill is then forwarded again to the president for assent. The bill is deemed to have secured presidential assent if this does not happen before the 10-day limit expires.
Oversight and accountability
Senators can employ myriad of mediums to hold the government accountable. These include question hour, adjournment motions, call attention notices, zero hour and committee debates.
Representing federating units
The Senate is tasked with securing the interests of federating units, according to the Constitution. Every province is afforded equal representation to ensure parity. The use of proportional voting in Senate elections also ensures minority representation.
Source of information: Senate of Pakistan