Senate of Pakistan

Senate of Pakistan

ایوانِ بالا پاکستان
*Aiwān-e-Bālā Pākistān*
Senate of Pakistan ; ایوانِ بالا پاکستان; Aiwān-e-Bālā Pākistān;
14th Parliament of Pakistan senators
Type
Type	Upper house of the Parliament of Pakistan
Term limits	6 years
History
Founded	1973
Leadership
Chairman	Yousuf Raza Gillani, PPP ; since 9 April 2024
Deputy Chairman	Syedaal Khan Nasar, PML(N) ; since 9 April 2024
Leader of the House	Ishaq Dar, PML(N) ; since 9 April 2024
Leader of the Opposition	Shibli Faraz, PTI ; since 22 April 2024
Structure
Seats	96
Political groups	Government Alliance (57) PPP (24); PML(N) (19); BAP (4); MQM-P (3); ANP (3); NP (1); IND (3); Opposition Alliance (28) PTI (17); JUI-F (4); SIC (1); MWM (1); BNP-M (1); PML-Q (1); IND (3); Vacant (11)
Elections
Voting system	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 or Aiwān-e-Bālā Pākistān (Urdu: ایوانِ بالا پاکستان, IPA: [ɛːʋɑːn-e bɑːlɑ ˌpɑːkɪst̪ɑːn], lit. "Pakistan upper house"), 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]

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

[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

[Google_maps-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

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]