Islamabad, In a concerted effort to enhance the legislative process in Pakistan, the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, led by Senator Taj Haider, convened at Parliament Lodges to discuss procedural improvements. The meeting focused on the timely submission of bills for presidential assent and aimed to address delays detrimental to public interest.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee reviewed the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, Rules of Business, and the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate 2012. Senator Haider highlighted instances where bills, despite being passed by both Houses of Parliament, were not promptly submitted for the President of Pakistan’s assent. The Caretaker Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs clarified that, as per the Rules of Business 1973, bills are forwarded to the President through a summary to the Prime Minister via the Parliamentary Affairs Division.
However, Senator Haider argued against the necessity of involving the Prime Minister in this process, pointing out that the Constitution and Senate rules already grant Parliament sovereignty over the executive branch. Senator Syed Ali Zafar supported this viewpoint, citing rules that allow for the direct transmission of bills to the President under specific conditions.
The committee unanimously recommended that Parliament should “immediately” send bills to the President for assent to prevent unnecessary delays, suggesting that the Rules of Business 1973 be aligned with the procedural rules of both the National Assembly and the Senate. This alignment is expected to streamline the legislative process, ensuring that critical legislation reaches the President without bureaucratic hindrance.
The meeting, attended by key senators and senior officials, marked a significant step towards improving the efficiency of Pakistan’s legislative framework. The recommendations, if implemented, could significantly reduce delays in the legislative process, benefiting the public at large.