Reforming Bureaucracy

By Fahad Ikram Qazi

To ensure rule of law and good governance, civil service must be overhauled by provincial assemblies

The elected governments are mandated to administer the state according to their ideologies and thus become face of the state. Bureaucracy translates government’s agendas into meaningful actions and look after the routine business.

Reforming and strengthening the civil services is imperative. The foremost issue is the structure of PCS vis-à-vis PAS. The federal service of DMG/PAS erstwhile known as CSP took numerous unconstitutional and illegal measures to undermine the provincial assemblies and PCS. PAS Officers were posted to the provinces through CSP Rules 1954 which neither have any legal basis nor the outcome of any agreement. The Constitution of 1973 empowered the provincial assemblies for regulating the civil service under Article 240 and 241.

Under Article 240 (b), the KP Provincial Assembly passed Civil Servants Act in 1973 wherein sharing posts with the federation has not been mentioned. Hence, Rules of 1954 ceased to exist the day Civil Servant Act 1973 was enforced in the provinces. Article 240 (b) of the Constitution is a central pillar of provincial empowerment.

Subsequently, the federal government unilaterally renamed CSP as APUG through SRO-1973. APUG was succeeded by the District Management Group (DMG) in 1974 through a mere office memorandum. The present schedule posts are shared between the federal and provincial service as per apportionment formula of 1993, which is an unjust distribution and the root-cause of disparity. It increased the cadre strength of DMG, thereby ensuring rapid promotion for the DMG officers despite their meager strength and constricting promotion prospects for the provincial civil servants. This is one of the major causes of poor governance in the province and the reason for lack of positive motivation, sense of deprivation and utter resentment in the predominant civil service of the province.

The said formula has no legal standing as it was in violation of Article 240(b) and was slapped on the provinces by an interim-government of Moeen Qureshi in the absence of assemblies and without any representation from the PCS officers. This unjust dispensation has manifested itself in the inverse pyramid promotion share which is the only reason of their fastest track promotions against all the ranks of the civil services in the whole country.

Subsequently, the federal government changed the nomenclature of DMG to PAS and tried to lend a legal cover to the formula of 1993 through another illegal SRO in 2014. PAS officers conspicuously occupy all the key provincial positions; whereas, the genuine and premier service of the provinces is marginalised at the cost of promotion of an alien cadre

Before the 18th Amendment, DMG/PAS had a lame pretext of sharing common posts between federation and provinces for grabbing provincial positions. However, after deletion of concurrent list from the constitution of Pakistan, no such common subject or post exist between the federal and provincial governments. As per 142(c), even parliament cannot legislate on service matters of the provinces, let alone the government.

All the PAS/DMG officers from BS-17 to BS-22 posted in the provinces perform provincial functions, get paid from provincial exchequer and get promotions on positions of provincial civil service. Provincial exchequer is not meant to sustain federal workforce. PCS is the premier executive service of the province of which provincial assembly is the custodian and chief minister is the chief executive. Posting of PAS officers to provinces is against the constitution of Pakistan and sheer injustice to the provincial government and provincial civil servants. Hence, this structural issue of the civil service must be resolved before proceeding towards reforming the civil service.

The foremost principle to strengthen the foundation of provincial civil service is the recruitment criteria. Public Service Commission recruits a person to administer districts and all the departments. The irony is that we expect a person with irrelevant qualifications to perform in all the areas i.e. engineers managing the HRM, doctors dealing with finances, lawyers reforming health sector and economists looking after security.

Moreover, the subjects offered for examinations too have no relevance to the jobs. Indo-Pak History, Journalism, Geography, Sociology, Persian and Pashto have nothing to do with the civil service. A candidate can ensure selection by scoring high marks in Pashto or Geography; whereas a more capable person may lose the competition by scoring low at such out-of-the-way subjects. Besides, personality and psychological examination are lacking in substance, hence resulting in induction of people inferior in personal traits. The officers have proved to be satisfactory though, owing to the entrenched official mechanisms which make the routine business quite smooth. In fact to be a “satisfactory” civil servant, all you need is an experienced superintendent and good terms with your superiors. However, efficient service delivery, innovation and excellence would always remain distant ideals given such recruitment model.

Establishment Department is the human resource management department of the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the Establishment Department has no plan for career progression of the officers. There is no sound criterion for promotion except seniority list and taking into account the outdated and meaningless evaluation which has led to gross administrative anomalies. The promotion of PMS/PCS officers is more a matter of luck given his time of recruitment which determines his/her number on the seniority list.

Another crucial component is placement of the officers. The Establishment Department does not follow any rotation formulae nor have any criteria other than complying with the political and bureaucratic recommendations. This has led to demoralisation of the officers and most of them have resorted to political lobbying and unfair means for getting desired postings. In order to revive the quality and integrity of civil service, we must do away with all such practices.

Performance evaluation is also an important yet unattended aspect of the civil service. Placing the entire burden on officers and giving undue leverage to the reporting officers is inappropriate and counter-productive. The current format may be changed at the earliest as it is outdated, subjective and does not fulfill the international standards of performance appraisal.

In order to ensure rule of law and good governance, civil service must be overhauled by the provincial assemblies.

Our ‘anti-state’ NGOs

By Aoun Sahi The News Staff Reporter

The hasty action against Save the Children has raised some key questions not just about the regularisation of INGOs but also about who gets to make such decisions

On June 11, the authorities sealed the head office of international relief organisation, Save the Children (StC), in Islamabad and ordered the organisation to shut down all its operations in the country, saying it was involved in ‘anti-Pakistan’ activities.

A day later on June 12, addressing a press conference, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali said that some international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) in Pakistan were being backed by the United States, Israel, and India. According to news reports, Nisar said there are several NGOs operating in Pakistan without any specific agenda and some of them were engaged in “anti-Pakistan” activities without giving details of such activities.

The same day, the interior ministry issued another notification, suspending its earlier notification of sealing the offices of the organisation.

On June 16, the government of Pakistan announced it was giving INGOs three months to get themselves registered once again under the new regime of regulations, which an inter-ministerial committee is developing. The government also decided to allow all such INGOs to carry on their operations for the next six months.

Both civil and military authorities are said to have started impeding the activities of INGOs by early 2012 through travel restrictions, rejections or delays in issuing visas to foreign staff and requirements of no-objection-certificates (NOCs) to implement their projects.

The INGOs came under the radar of the government after intelligence reports linked StC to Dr Shakeel Afridi, who the CIA allegedly used to carry out a fake vaccination programme as they searched for al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

In November 2013, the PML-N government announced a new regulatory framework for INGOs. All INGOs were directed to get registered with finance ministry’s Economic Affairs Division (EAD).

Around 150 INGOs have applied for signing MoUs with the Division under a new policy but so far the ministry has signed MoUs with 19 INGOs only. “Others, including StC, have been working on a 4-6 months interim permission since then,” says an official of EAD on condition of anonymity.

“The action against Save the Children was taken on the basis of intelligence reports. The security officials have raised certain valid questions over the projects and the areas of focus of the Save the Children and several other international organisations,” the official adds.

“The Division proposed banning nine INGOs, including StC. Intelligence agencies regularly share details with us of the INGOs whose staffers enter sensitive areas and carry out projects they are not mandated under the MoU signed with EAD. Officials of some INGOs have taken too much interest in IDPs from North Waziristan and offer them help without seeking NOC,” he says.[box type="shadow" align="alignright" class="red_lines" ]“The political elite in Pakistan thinks the civil society has been surpassing its mandate. The civil society has assumed the role of opposition as political parties have become weaker,” says Dr Sarwar Bari.[/box]

A staffer of StC says the organisation is in a state of limbo for the last two years. “We cannot plan long-term projects. Our staff is under constant pressure. The official believes the government needs to come up with clear instructions. Our families have started suspecting us. My son asked me the other day what kind of ‘anti-Pakistan’ activities was I involved in?”

Employees at INGOs say the NOCs for projects are signed to enhance coordination and travel, and to ensure safety and security of staff. The role of the government is to coordinate the movements of INGOs and NGOs want to cooperate with the government of Pakistan.

StC started its work in Pakistan in 1979 with approval from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, which led to an MoU. Several INGOs came to respond to the emergency that ensued Afghan Refugees influx in Pakistan in the late 1970s and started operations where the refugees camped in KP (then NWFP) and Balochistan. The organisation operated and expanded in the KP and Balochistan, and, following a cue from the ‘One UN’ drive of the late 1990s, it also decided to come together globally to become one Save the Children International.

A security official involved in the scrutiny process of INGOs tells TNS that StC employs around 1400 people in Pakistan. “An overwhelming majority of their staff belongs to KP. They have also been trying consistently to employ retired army officials or close relatives of serving army officers,” he says. “They issue reports to hurt Pakistan on the international forum. We have serious concerns over their project areas in KP and Balochistan.”

Saeed Minhas, a spokesperson of the StC, tells TNS the organisation has trained over 5000 doctors in the country in coordination with the government. “Dr Shakeel Afridi attended two such trainings. He was nominated by the health authorities to attend those meetings and both the trainings were held on the facilities provided by the government. He was never employed by the StC,” says Minhas.

He says the organisation has been voluntarily providing details of its staff, projects, and audit reports to the authorities concerned since 2014. “We worked in KP and Balochistan in collaboration with the provincial governments. Two months earlier, chief minister Punjab had invited us for a meeting and asked us to start work in health and education sectors in the province.”

Minhas informs the organistaion completed projects worth $100 million last year. “We paid $2 million tax to the government of Pakistan and mobilised $35 million for the Pakistani economy last year. The organisation reached out to 4 million children and their families in 2014 and set a target of 6 million for 2015.”

He says the organisation has not been served any charge sheet or a show cause notice detailing any suspicions. “The media trial has stigmatised StC and the Pakistanis working in it. There are no expatriates in its more than 1200 staff members and it has already decided to pull out from Balochistan and the KP. The government has not come up with clear allegations, let alone any proof.”

Dr Sarwar Bari, an Islamabad-based veteran civil society activist, says the Benazir Bhutto Government in 1993 and then Nawaz Sharif in his last tenure as prime minister also tried to control NGOs through legislation but failed.

“The political elite in Pakistan thinks the civil society has been surpassing its mandate. The civil society has assumed the role of opposition as political parties have become weaker. The society talks about rights, political participation and reforms. They think we have been bringing a bad name to Pakistan while in reality Pakistan is signatory of several agreements on human rights on international forum,” he says.

Bari informs that about 100,000 NGOs and associations have been registered in Pakistan. “If some NGOs or INGOs are involved in spying or anti-Pakistan activities do close them down. But this should be done through the court of law. Agencies have no right to close down any organisation. First, you term them agents of India and US and then take a U-turn and let them work in the country for the next six months.”

On the next page: “We will continue to demonstrate the positive impact of INGOs” — PHF

“We will continue to demonstrate the positive impact of INGOs” — PHF

“The timely issuance of project and travel NOCs in areas where they are required is critical to timely and effective humanitarian assistance, for example support to displaced and returnee populations in KPK and FATA, and projects targeted to meet basic survival and critical livelihood needs,” says Heather Macey, Country Coordinator, Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF), an umbrella organisation of 50 INGOs working in Pakistan.

She says the application process for getting NOCs remains unclear. However, applications continue to be accepted at different levels and respective stakeholders appear unclear of their roles. “NGOs would like to comply with regulations and seek clarification on the process so as to better understand what the delays and blockages to NOC issuance are. PHF members are concerned that principled action and life-saving interventions to some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable people may be disrupted by the current disabling environment for INGOs.”

In 2013, PHF member INGOs collectively raised PKR 34 billion and reached over 19.7 million people in need with support and assistance in Pakistan. Over 12,000 Pakistanis are employed by PHF member INGOs in health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, shelter, protection, social welfare and food security sectors.

“As PHF, we will continue to demonstrate the positive impact INGOs have to the affected populations. Furthermore, clarity in procedures related to registrations and NOCs will also help in bridging the gap, and strengthening coordination and partnership between INGO and the government,” adds Macey.

She says PHF has no official confirmation concerning action against any INGO member. “INGOs with MOU applications in process remain operational in Pakistan, until the point of an initial decision on the application. Facilitation of their lifesaving work — including visa processing — is vital to limit the disruption of services to communities in Pakistan.”

Has Zardari’s outburst against the establishment alienated him from politics in the country?

Beyond defined parameters

By Aoun Sahi The News Staff  Reporter

So far, at least, Asif Ali Zardari’s angry outburst against the military leadership on June 16 has not helped him earn the status of the warrior.

Some analysts are of the view that the co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party, thought to be the master of reconciliations, did not consult his party’s central leadership before using a bitter and angry tone against the military establishment.

This, they think, is apparent from the fact that no party leader of any significance has endorsed his speech.

Instead, Qamar Zaman Kaira, the party’s spokesperson clarified that his speech was about former dictators and the party had the greatest regard for the current military leadership. The media also reported on June 17 that the Central Working Committee had termed Asif Ali Zardari’s statements as his personal opinion.

The Sindh government also took no time after Zardari’s speech to approve the army’s pending request since 2001 for 9,000 acres of forestland for the families of martyred soldiers.

So, what compelled Zardari to take a jab at the army? Political analysts believe that Zardari was pushed into a situation where he had no option but to react strongly.

“Zardari’s outburst was a thunder in vacuum,” says Naseer Memon, Islamabad based activist and political analyst who originally belongs to Sindh.

Karachi-based journalist Ali Arqam, who has been closely following the developments in the city, says, “The Rangers have already become a political stakeholder in the city. The business community and traders in the city are happy that at least they have had ‘one-window opportunity’ now in the shape of Rangers. The law and order situation has also improved.”

Arqam does not see zeal among the PPP workers to support their current leadership. “I do not think the PPP or for that matter the MQM is in a position to challenge the Rangers in Karachi.”

Sources in the PPP say that a couple of days back the party officially contacted the Rangers for reconciliation, where the Rangers asked the party to surrender a few people and get a fresh start.

The PPP insiders agree that the Rangers are actually running the government in Sindh, and that today the military establishment is more in control than it was in 2008.

Also, the PPP insiders agree that the Rangers are actually running the government in Sindh, and that today the military establishment is more in control than it was in 2008, when Musharraf handed over power to a civilian government.

“The PPP may gain political benefits from this episode, as it has always flourished in tough times,” says Khalid Qayyum, a Lahore-based senior journalist.

Ejaz Haider, senior political analyst and expert on civil-military relations wrote in his articleMilitary Primacy 2.0 last week that “it was obvious the desirable goal of effective civilian control remains as elusive as it was in 2007… Equally, the military has become much smarter in retaining its position at the head of the high table. I’d call it the transition from the physical use of the 111 Brigade to the control of electronic and virtual spaces. Of course, the physical threat is there. It remains potent. But its effectiveness is not in its use but in the threat of its use.”

Handing over the relief work for heatstroke victims to the army and Rangers in Karachi speaks volumes about how serious the issue of governance and service delivery is in Sindh. While military has always been there to showcase it as an institution that cares about the people of Pakistan, the civilian governments — federal and provincial — blame each other for the situation.

“It is true that the Rangers have become a stakeholder in the city,” says Taj Haider, general secretary of Sindh chapter of PPP. “We have always been saying that as terrorism and democracy cannot work side by side, the establishment’s interference will not strengthen democracy”.

Haider says the PPP draws its strength from the masses so it cannot go against them while the PML-N draws strength from the establishment and cannot go against it. “It’s all about who you represent. The PPP will again help the PML-N if there is a threat to democracy. A decades-old narrative has been built against the PPP.”

Haider further adds that Sindh has achieved almost all the targets, “despite the fact that the federal government has not been giving our share from the shared pool. We try to decrease sales tax every year while the PML-N decreases income tax every year. This shows the priorities of the two parties.”

But experts on the political situation of interior Sindh, the last stronghold of PPP after losing support in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan say that the current leadership of the party does not enjoy the peoples’ support.

“PPP’s rank and file will not support Zardari’s confrontational attitude. Cronies of the current leadership — Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur — are running the party and the government in the province. They are the beneficiaries while the diehard workers are waiting on the backbenches,” says Naseer Memon, reiterating that Zardari has no connectivity with the people.

In the midst of this crisis in the party, all of a sudden both Zardari, who has a visit to Punjab and KP scheduled, and chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari left the country. Faryal Talpur has also gone to Dubai. But “this may be a blessing in disguise. The party may get rid of Asif Zardari and Faryal Talpur,” a senior leader of the party tells TNS on condition of anonymity. “Bilawal Bhutto has given us some signals in this regard. He remained a silent observer in all party meetings during his last visit and directed us ‘to wait for a few days’ in private conversations”.

The UN Platfrom (The news )

 After weeks of discussion on Indian interference in Pakistan and the hostile statements issued by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministers, Islamabad appears to have decided to take the matter to the UN. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr Maleeha Lodhi is in the country for a week and is believed to have been called in to discuss strategy on the India issue and how to table it at the UN. On Tuesday, Dr Lodhi, one of Pakistan’s more experienced diplomats, met with Foreign Office officials to discuss matters that have come up lately, including the evidence that has appeared of Indian funding for the MQM. A recent BBC documentary has brought the matter out into the open and Islamabad cannot really afford to ignore it. There is also growing anxiety over the tone adopted by Modi as well as strong Indian opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif who met Dr Lodhi on Wednesday is obviously eager to seek UN help on these matters. A plan for this is under discussion. It may be noted that the UN will be marking its 70th anniversary this year. This makes Sharif’s address to the UN General Assembly later this year also an important occasion. He will be seeking good lobbying before this to build up support for Pakistan’s case.

The case is a fairly strong one. India must explain the reports about funding for groups engaged in violence in Pakistan and the country’s interference in other matters. The situation in Balochistan is also obviously a cause of concern for Pakistan. The challenge for the country is to put all this before the UN as sensibly and effectively as possible. It is becoming quite clear that rising tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad are destabilising the region. In many ways India has made what amounts to an open declaration of a hidden war, suggesting it is using terrorists in Pakistan to combat acts of terrorism. It could be excellent news for Pakistan if the UN does decide to take up the matter. The series of discussions held at the FO and with the prime minister have obviously been intense. Let us hope that a way has been found to put Pakistan’s flight forward in a way that will persuade the international community to act. We know that in the capitals around the world there has been some concern about Modi’s policies. It is time that these were prevented from causing lasting harm. Dr Lodhi is capable of making a strong case. It will be her task to do so now. 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN

OBSERVANCE OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE 

The National Assembly of Pakistan is the country's sovereign legislative body. It embodies the will of the people to let themselves be governed under the democratic, multi-party Federal Parliamentary System. The National Assembly makes laws for the Federation in respect of the powers enumerated in the Federal Legislative list. Through its debates, adjournment motion, question hour and Standing Committees, the National Assembly keeps as check over the Executive and ensures that the government functions within the parameters set out in the Constitution and does not violate the fundamental rights of citizens. Only the National Assembly, through its Public Accounts Committee, scrutinizes public spending and exercises control of expenditure incurred by the government.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a Federal State comprising four provinces of Balochistan, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Punjab and Sindh; Islamabad is the Federal Capital with Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). These federating units offer a lot of diversity and variety in terms of languages, levels of social and economic development, population density and climatic conditions.

The Members of the National Assembly are to be elected by direct and free vote in accordance with law.

CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE

Article 50 of the Constitution provides that the Parliament of Pakistan shall consist of President and the two Houses known as the National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly has an edge over the Senate by legislating exclusively on money matters. With exception to money Bills, however, both the Houses work together to carryout the basic work of the Parliament, i.e. law making.

LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE

The Bill relating to the Federal Legislative List can be originated in either House. If the House passed the Bill through majority vote, it shall be transmitted to the other House. If the other House passes it witdout amendment, it shall be presented to the President for assent.

If the Bill, transmitted to the other House, is not passed within ninety days or rejected, it shall be considered in a joint sitting to be summoned by the President on the request of the House in which the Bill was originated. If the Bill is passed in the joint sitting, with or without amendments, by the votes of majority of the members of the two Houses, it shall be presented to the President for assent.

If the Bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall assent to the Bill in not later than ten days.If it is not a Money Bill, the President may return the Bill to the Majlis-e-Shoora with a message requesting that the Bill be reconsidered and that an amendment specified in the message be considered. The Majlis-e-Shoora shall reconsider the Bill in a joint sitting.If the Bill is passed again, with or without amendment, by vote of the majority of the members present and voting, it shall be presented to the President and the President shall give his assent within ten days; failing which such assent shall be deemed to have been given.

Under the Constitution, the Parliament may also legislate for two or more Provinces by consent and request made by those Provinces. If the Federal Government proclaims State of Emergency in any province, the power to legislate about that province is vested in the Parliament.But the Bills passed by the Parliament during the State of Emergency, shall cease to be in force after the expiration of six months from the date Emergency is lifted. Nevertheless, the steps already taken under these Acts shall remain valid.

In exercises of its constitutional role, the Parliament also has other very important duties to perform.The President, who is at the apex, is elected by members of both Houses of the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies. The Prime Minister, who heads the Cabinet and is meant to aid and advise the President in his functions, belongs to the National Assembly. He enjoys the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly. Members of the Cabinet are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

In the formation of the Cabinet the major portion (75%), goes to National Assembly while the rest (25%) are taken from the Senate.

There is a democratic procedure to remove the Prime Minister from his office if he loses confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly. In this respect a resolution for a vote of no-confidence is moved by not less then 20% of the total membership of the National Assembly. If the resolution is passed by majority of the total membership of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister immediately relinquished powers.

Similarly, for the removal or impeachment of the President, not less than one-half of the total membership of either House may give in writing its intention to do so, to the Speaker National Assembly, or, as the case may be, to the Chairman Senate, for moving a resolution for the purpose. In a joint sitting of the two Houses, convened for the purpose, and after the deliberations, if the resolution is passed by the votes of not less than two thirds of the total membership of the Parliament, the President shall cease to hold office immediately on the passing of the resolution.

In case emergency is proclaimed, the Parliament holds the authority to extend the term of the National Assembly. Under the Constitution, the Parliament may also, on the request of the Federal Government, by law, confer functions upon officers or authorities subordinate to the Federal Government.

SENATE OF PAKISTAN

INTRODUCTION

Brief History

After Independence, the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, elected in December 1945 in undivided India, was assigned the task of framing the Constitution of Pakistan. This Assembly passed the Objectives Resolution on 12th March, 1949, laying down principles which later became substantive part of the Constitution of Pakistan. However, before it could accomplish the task of framing the constitution, it was dissolved in October, 1954. Thereafter, the Governor General, convened the Second Constituent Assembly in May, 1955, which framed and passed the first Constitution of Pakistan on 29th February, 1956. That Constitution was promulgated on 23rd March 1956, which provided for a parliamentary form of Government with a unicameral legislature. However, from 14th August 1947 to 1st March 1956 the Government of India Act, 1935, was retained as the Constitution of Pakistan.

            On October 7, 1958, Martial Law was promulgated and the Constitution abrogated. The Military Government appointed a Constitution Commission in February, 1960 which framed the 1962 Constitution. That Constitution provided for a Presidential form of Government with a unicameral legislature. The 1962 Constitution was abrogated on 25th March, 1969. The Civil Government, which came to power in December 1971 pursuant to 1970 elections, gave the nation an interim Constitution in the year 1972.

            The 1970 Assembly framed the 1973 Constitution which was passed on 12th April and promulgated on 14th August 1973. The 1973 Constitution provides for a parliamentary form of Government with a bicameral legislature, comprising of the National Assembly and the Senate.

The membership of the Senate, which was originally 45, was raised to 63 in 1977 and to 87 in 1985. The membership of the Senate was again raised from 87 to 100 in 2002.

Purpose & Role

            The main purpose for the creation of the Senate of Pakistan was to give equal representation to all the federating units since the membership of the National Assembly was based on the population of each province. Equal provincial membership in the Senate, thus, balances the provincial inequality in the National Assembly and dispels doubts and apprehension, if any, regarding deprivation and exploitation.
            The role of the Senate is to promote national cohesion and harmony and to alleviate fears of the smaller provinces regarding domination by any one province because of its majority, in the National Assembly.
            The Senate, is a body which represents the provinces/territories of the country and promotes a feeling of equality, peace and harmony, which is so essential for the growth and prosperity of a nation. Thus, the Senate in Pakistan, over the years, has emerged as an essential organ and a stabilizing factor of the federation.

Relationship between Constituent's of the Parliament

a) President and Parliament: Under Article 50 of the Constitution, the Majlis-i-Shoora (Parliament) of Pakistan consists of the President and two Houses to be known respectively as the National Assembly and the Senate.
            The President is elected by members of both Houses of the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies. The President may be removed from office or impeached through a resolution, passed by not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the Parliament in a joint sitting of the two Houses, convened for the purpose.
            The Constitution empowers the President to dissolve the National Assembly in his discretion if a situation has arisen in which the Government of the Federation cannot be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and an appeal to the electorate is necessary. The President in case of dissolution of National Assembly shall within fifteen days of the dissolution refer the matter to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court shall decide the reference within thirty days whose decision shall be final. However, the Senate is not subject to dissolution.

In case the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason, the Chairman, or if he is unable to perform the functions of the office of the President, the Speaker, acts as President till such time that a President is elected. Same is the case when the President by reason of absence from Pakistan or any other cause is unable to perform his functions.

b) Relations between the Houses: Unless both the Houses pass a Bill and it receives President's assent it cannot become a law except in the case of a money bill which is the sole prerogative of the National Assembly. Through an amendment, the role of a Mediation Committee, comprising of eight members of each House, has been introduced to evolve consensus on Bills, in case there is a disagreement between the two Houses.

c) Cabinet: The Constitution provides that there shall be a Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister which is collectively responsible to the National Assembly. The Prime Minister is chosen from the National Assembly.
            The Federal Ministers and Ministers of State are appointed from amongst the members of Parliament. However, the number of Federal Ministers and Ministers of State who are members of Senate, shall not at any time, exceed one fourth of the numbers of Federal Ministers.

About Pakistan

The Islamic republic of Pakistan emerged as an independent sovereign state on 14th August 1947, as a result of the division of former British India. It lies between 23-35 to 37-05 north Latitude and 60-50 to 77-50 east longitude touching the Hindukush Mountains in the north and extending from the pamirs to the Arabian Sea. Pakistan covers 796,095 sq.km with a population of 132.35 million according to population census 1998. It is divided into four provinces:
Sindh
Punjab
Khyber Pakhtun Khwa
Balochistan.


Climatically, Pakistan enjoys a considerable measure of variety. North and north western high mountainous ranges are extremely cold in winter while the summer months of April to September are very pleasent.

The country has an agricultural enconomy with a network of canals irrigating a major part of its cultivated land. Wheat, cotton,rice,millet and sugar cane are the major crops. Among fruits: mangos, oranges, bananas and apples are grown in abundance in different parts of the country. The main natural resources are natural gas, coal, salt and iron. The country has an expanding industry. Cotton, Textiles, sugar, cement,and chemicals play and important role in its economy.
The country comprises of a vast area that was the great center of ancient civilizations of the world. Its historical sites begining with stone-age to Twentieth Century A.D are a mirror of the life of its people who were, by nature, simple, virile, hospitable and hard working. Ancient sites excavated in Taxila, Harappa, and Moenjodaro speak volumes for pakistan's rich cultural background dating back to 3,000 B.C