Parliament of Pakistan facts for kids
The Parliament of Pakistan, officially known as Majlis-e-Shoora (Urdu: مجلس شوری, meaning Council of Advisors in Urdu and Persian), is the main law-making body of Pakistan. It is a two-house federal legislature. This means it has two main parts: the Senate (also called the upper house) and the National Assembly (the lower house). The President of Pakistan is also a part of this council, as stated in Pakistan's 1973 Constitution.
Quick facts for kids The Parliament of Pakistanپارلیمان پاکستان مجلس شوریٰ پاکستان |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Senate National Assembly |
| Leadership | |
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Leader of the House (Senate)
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Leader of Opposition (Upper)
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Raja Zafar-ul-Haq
PML-N Since 26 August 2018 |
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Leader of Opposition (Lower)
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| Structure | |
| Seats | 446 Parliamentarians 104 Senators 342 MNAs |
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Senate political groups
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Government Coalition (40)
Opposition (64) |
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National Assembly political groups
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Government Coalition (178)
Opposition (158) |
| Elections | |
| Single Transferable Vote | |
| Mixed member majoritarian (First past the post for most seats, 60 seats reserved for women and 10 seats reserved for religious minorities by proportional representation) | |
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Senate last election
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3 March 2018 |
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National Assembly last election
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25 July 2018 |
| Meeting place | |
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| Parliament House Building Islamabad, Pakistan |
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| Website | |
Contents
What is Pakistan's Parliament?
The Parliament of Pakistan is the most important law-making group in the country. Its main job is to create new laws, change old ones, and make sure the government is doing its job well. It represents all the people of Pakistan.
Two Main Parts: Senate and National Assembly
Pakistan's Parliament is bicameral, which means it has two separate parts or "houses." These are the Senate and the National Assembly. Each house has different responsibilities, but they work together to govern the country.
The Senate: Upper House
The Senate is known as the upper house. It has 104 members. Senators are chosen to represent the different provinces and territories of Pakistan. They serve for six years. The Senate makes sure that all parts of the country have a say in national laws.
The National Assembly: Lower House
The National Assembly is the lower house. It has 342 members, called Members of National Assembly (MNAs). Most of these members are directly elected by the people of Pakistan. Some seats are also reserved for women and religious minorities. MNAs serve for five years. This house is usually where new laws are first suggested and debated.
Who Leads the Parliament?
Several important leaders help the Parliament run smoothly. These leaders make sure that debates are fair and that rules are followed.
The President's Role
The President of Pakistan is the head of the country. The President is also a part of the Parliament. They approve laws passed by both houses. The President also has other important duties for the country.
The Speaker and Chairman
The Speaker leads the National Assembly. They make sure that debates are orderly and that all members follow the rules. The Chairman does the same job for the Senate. These leaders are very important for the daily work of the Parliament.
How Members Are Chosen
Members of the Parliament are chosen through elections. People vote for their representatives in the National Assembly. Senators are elected by the members of the provincial assemblies. This system ensures that both the people and the provinces are represented in the national government.
Where the Parliament Meets
The Parliament of Pakistan meets in a special building called the Parliament House. This building is located in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. It is where all the important discussions and decisions about the country's future take place.
Images for kids
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Muhammad Ali Jinnah replying to the Address by Lord Mountbatten in Constituent Assembly on 14 August 1947.
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Parliament House
See also
In Spanish: Parlamento de Pakistán para niños
