Senate of Pakistan

Senate of Pakistan
House of the Federation

  • ایوانِ بالا پاکستان
  • Aiwān-e-Bālā Pākistān
16th Parliament of Pakistan senators
Type
Type
Term limits
6 years
History
Founded1973 (1973)
Leadership
Yusuf Raza Gillani, PPP
since 9 April 2024
Syedaal Khan Nasar, PMLN
since 9 April 2024
Ishaq Dar, PMLN
since 9 April 2024
Shibli Faraz, PTI
since 22 April 2024
Structure
Seats96
Political groups
Government Alliance (61)
  •   PPP (24)
  •   PMLN (19)
  •   BAP (4)
  •   MQM-P (3)
  •   ANP (3)
  •   NP (1)
  •   PML (Q) (1)
  •   IND (4)

Opposition Alliance (14)

Elections
Indirect single transferable vote
Last election
2 April 2024 (48 seats)
Next election
2027 (48 seats)
Meeting place
Senate Secretariat
Parliament Building
Red Zone Islamabad, Pakistan
Website
Official website

The Senate of Pakistan,[a] constitutionally the House of the Federation, is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan. As of 2023, It has a maximum membership of 96, of which 92 are elected by the provincial legislatures using single transferable vote; four represent the federal capital. Members sit for terms lasting six years, with half of the house up for election every three years. Unlike the National Assembly, the Senate is a continuing chamber and hence not subject to dissolution.

First convened in 1973, the Senate's composition and powers are established by the Article 59 of the Constitution of Pakistan.[1] Each of the four provinces is represented by 23 senators regardless of population, while the Islamabad Capital Territory is represented by four senators, all of whom serve staggered six-year terms.[2] The Senate secretariat is located in the east wing of the Parliament Building; the National Assembly convenes in the west wing of the same building.[3]

The Senate has several exclusive powers not granted to the National Assembly, including the powers of making parliamentary bills as a being enforced into law. Elections are held every three years for one half of the Senate and each Senator has a term of six years.[4] The Constitution does not allow for the dissolution of the Senate.[5]


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  1. ^ "History of Senate". www.senate.gov.pk. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  2. ^ [Article 59(1)(a)-59(1)(c) in Chapter 2: The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan
  3. ^ "Parliament House, Pakistan". Google Maps. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  4. ^ [Article 59(3)(a) in Chapter 2: The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan
  5. ^ [Article 59(3) in Chapter 2: The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan

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