The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

The Republic and its territories.

1. (1) Pakistan shall be Federal Republic to be known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, hereinafter referred to as Pakistan.
(2) The territories of Pakistan shall comprise-
(a) the Provinces of Baluchistan, the North-West Frontier, the Punjab and Sind;
(b) the Islamabad Capital Territory, hereinafter referred to as the Federal Capital;
(c) the Federally Administered Tribal Areas: and
(d) such States and territories as are or may be included in Pakistan, whether by accession or otherwise.
(3) (Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may be law admit into the Federation new States or areas on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.)

Islam to be State religion [

2. Islam shall be the State religion of Pakistan.

The Objectives Resolution to form part of substantive provisions.

2A. The principles and provisions set out in the Objectives Resolution reproduced in the Annex are hereby made substantive part of the Constitution and shall have effect accordingly.

Elimination of exploitation.

3. The State shall ensure the elimination of all forms of exploitation and the gradual fulfilment of the fundamental principle, from each according to his ability to each according to his work.

Right of individuals to be dealt with in accordance with law, etc.

4. (1) To enjoy the protection of law and to be treated in accordance with law is the inalienable right of every citizen, wherever he may be, and of every other person for the time being within Pakistan.
(2) In particular-
(a) no action detrimental to the life, liberty, body, reputation or property of any person shall be taken except in accordance with law;
(b) no person shall be prevented from or be hindered in doing that which is not prohibited by law; and
(c) no person shall be compelled to do that which the law does not required him to do.

Loyalty to State and obedience to Constitution and law.

5. (1) Loyalty to the State is the basic duty of every citizen.
(2) Obedience to the Constitution and law is the (inviolable) obligation of every citizen wherever he may be and of every other person for the time being within Pakistan.

High treason


6. (1) Any person who abrogates or attempts or conspires to abrogate, subverts or attempts or conspires to subvert the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by other un-constitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.
(2) Any person aiding or abetting the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.
(3) (Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.

Part II

Fundamental rights and Principles of Policy

Definition of the State


7. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, “the State” means the Federal Government, (Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), a Provincial Government, a Provincial Assembly, and such local or other authorities in Pakistan as are by law empowered to impose any tax or cess.

Chapter I

Fundamental Rights

Laws in consistent with or in derogation of fundamental rights to be void.


8. (1) Any law, or any custom or usage having the force of law, in so far as it is inconsistent with the rights conferred by this Chapter, shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be void.
(2) The State shall not make any law which takes away or abridges the rights so conferred and any law made in contravention of this clause shall, to the extent of such contravention, be void.
(3) The provisions of this Article shall not apply to-
(a) any law relating to members of the Armed Forces, or of the police or of such other forces as are charged with the maintenance of public order, for the purpose of ensuring the proper discharge of their duties or the maintenance of discipline among them; or;
(b) any of the-
(i) laws specified in the First Schedule as in force immediately before the commencing day or as amended by any of the laws specified in that Schedule;
(ii) other laws specified in Part I of the First Schedule;
and no such law nor any provision thereof shall be void on the ground that such law or provision is inconsistent with, or repugnant to, any provision of this Chapter.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph (b) of clause(3), within a period of two years from the commencing day, the appropriate Legislature shall bring the laws specified in (part II of the First Schedule) into conformity with the rights conferred by this Chapter:
Provided that the appropriate Legislature may be resolution extend the said period of two years by a period not exceeding six months.
Explanation.-If in respect of any law (Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) is the appropriate Legislature, such resolution shall be a resolution of the National Assembly.
(5) The rights conferred by this Chapter shall not be suspended except as expressly provided by the Constitution.

Security of person.[/B]

9. No person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law.

Safeguards as to arrest and detention

10. (1) No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest, nor shall he be denied the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.
(2) Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before a magistrate within a period of twenty -four hours of such arrest, excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of the nearest magistrate, and no such person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a magistrate.
(3) Nothing in clauses (1) and (2) shall apply to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention.
(4) No law providing for preventive detention shall be made except to deal with persons acting in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, or external affairs of Pakistan, or public order, or the maintenance of supplies or services, and no such law shall authorize the detention of a person for a period exceeding (three months) unless the appropriate Review Board has, after affording him an opportunity of being heard in person, reviewed his case and reported, before the expiration of the said period, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for such detention, and, if the detention is continued after the said period of (three months), unless the appropriate Review Board has reviewed his case and reported, before the expiration of each period of three months, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for such detention.
Explanation I.- In this Article, "the appropriate Review Board" means,-
(i) in the case of a person detained under a Federal law, a Board appointed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and consisting of a Chairman and two other persons, each of whom is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court; and
(ii) in the case of a person detained under a Provincial law, a Board appointed by the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned and consisting of a Chairman and two other persons, each of whom is or has been a Judge of a High Court.
Explanation II.- The opinion of a Review Board shall be expressed in terms of the views of the majority of its members.
(5) When any person is detained in pursuance of an order made under any law providing for preventive detention, the authority making the order shall, (within fifteen days) from such detention, communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made, and shall afford him the earliest opportunity of making a representation against the order:
Provided that the authority making any such order may refuse to disclose facts which such authority considers it to be against the public interest to disclose.
(6) The authority making the order shall furnish to the appropriate Review Board all documents relevant to the case unless a certificate, signed by a Secretary to the Government concerned to the effect that it is not in the public interest to furnish any documents, is produced.
(7) Within a period of twenty-four months commencing on the day of his first detention in pursuance of an order made under a law providing for preventive detention, no person shall be detained in pursuance of any such order for more than a total period of eight months in the case of a person detained for acting in a manner prejudicial to public order and twelve months in any other case:
Provided that this clause shall not apply to any person who is employed by, or works for, or acts on instructions receive from, the enemy (or who is acting or attempting to act in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof or who commits or attempts to commit any act which amounts to an anti-national activity as defined in a Federal law or is a member of any association which has for its objects, or which indulges in, any such anti-national activity).
(8) The appropriate Review Board shall determine the place of detention of the person detained and fix a reasonable subsistence allowance for his family.
(9) Nothing in this Article shall apply to any person who for the time being is an enemy alien

Slavery, forced labour, etc. prohibited.

11. (1) Slavery is non-existent and forbidden and no law shall permit or facilitate its introduction into Pakistan in any form.
(2) All forms of forced labour and traffic in human beings are prohibited.
(3) No child below the age of fourteen years shall be engaged in any factory or mine or any other hazardous employment.
(4) Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to affect compulsory service-
(a) by any person undergoing punishment for an offence against any law; or
(b) required by any law for public purpose:
Provided that no compulsory service shall be of a cruel nature or incompatible with human dignity.

Protection against retrospective punishment

12 (1) No law shall authorize the punishment of a person-
(a) for an act or omission that was not punishable by law at the time of the act or omission; or
(b) for an offence by a penalty greater than, or of a kind different from, the penalty prescribed by law for that offence at the time the offence was committed.
(2) Nothing in clause(1) or in Article 270 shall apply to any law making acts of abrogation or subversion of a Constitution in force in Pakistan at any time since the twenty-third day of March, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-six, an offence.

Protection against double punishment and self incrimination.

13 No person-
.(a) shall be prosecuted or punished for the same offence more than once; or
(b) shall, when accused of an offence, be compelled to be a witness against himself.

Inviolability of dignity of man, etc.

14. (1) The dignity of man and, subject to law, the privacy of home, shall be inviolable.
(2) No person shall be subjected to torture for the purpose of extracting evidence.

Freedom of movement, etc.

15. Every citizen shall have the right to remain in, and, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by law in the public interest, enter and move freely throughout Pakistan and to reside and settle in any part thereof.

Freedom of assembly.

16. Every citizen shall have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of public order.

Freedom of association.

17. (1) Every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of (sovereignty or integrity or Pakistan, public order or morality).
(2) Every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan 1or public order and such law shall provide that where the Federal Government declares that any political party has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, 2 or public order or , the Federal Government shall, within fifteen days of such declaration, refer the matter to the Supreme Court whose decision on such reference shall be final.
2Provided that no political party shall promote secretarian, ethnic, regional hatred or animosity, or be titled or constituted as a militant group or section
(3) Every political party shall account for the source of its funds in accordance with law.
(4) 3 Every Political Party shall, subject to law, hold intra-party election to elect its office-bearers and party leaders.
1Ins.by the legal Framework Order, 2002(C.E's o. No 24 of 2002), Art.3 and such.,
2 Proviso added ibid
2 New Cl. (4) added ibid.,

Freedom of trade, business or profession.

18. Subject to such qualifications, if any, as may be prescribed by law, every citizen shall have the right to enter upon any lawful profession or occupation, and to conduct any lawful trade or business:
Provided that nothing in this Article shall prevent-
(a) the regulation of any trade or profession by a licensing system; or
(b) the regulation of trade, commerce or industry in the interest of free competition therein; or
(c) the carrying on, by the Federal Government or a Provincial Government, or by a corporation controlled by any such Government, of any trade, business, industry or service, to the exclusion, complete or partial, of other persons.

Freedom of speech, etc.

19 Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, 1[commission of] or in relation to an offence.

Freedom to profess religion and to manage religious institutions.

20. Subject to law, public order and morality,-
(a) every citizen shall have the right to profess, practise and propagate his religion; and
(b) every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions.

Safeguard against taxation for purposes of any particular religion.

21 No person shall be compelled to pay any special tax the proceeds of which are to be spent on the propagation or maintenance of any religion other than his own.

Safeguards as to educational institutions in respect of religion, etc.

22. (1) No person attending any educational institution shall be required to receive religious instruction, or take part in any religious ceremony, or attend religious worship, if such instruction, ceremony or worship relates to a religion other than his own.
(2) In respect of any religious institution, there shall be no discrimination against any community in the granting of exemption or concession in relation to taxation.
(3) Subject to law,
(a) no religious community or denomination shall be prevented from providing religious instruction for pupils of that community or denomination in any educational institution maintained wholly by that community or denomination; and
(b) no citizen shall be denied admission to any educational institution receiving aid from public revenues on the ground only of race, religion, caste or place of birth.
(4) Nothing in this Article shall prevent any public authority from making provision for the advancement of any socially or educationally backward class of citizens.

Provision as to property.


23. Every citizen shall have the right to acquire, hold and dispose of property in any part of Pakistan, subject to the Constitution and any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest.

Protection of property rights.

24. (1) No person shall b e deprived of his property save in accordance with law.
(2) No property shall be compulsorily acquired or taken possession of save for a public purpose, and save by the authority of law which provides for compensation therefore and either fixes the amount of compensation or specifies the principles on and the manner in which compensation is to be determined and given.
(3) Nothing in this Article shall affect the validity of-
(a) any law permitting the compulsory acquisition or taking possession of any property for preventing danger to life, property or public health; or
(b) any law permitting the taking over of any property which has been acquired by, or come into the possession of, any person by any unfair means, or in any manner, contrary to law; or
(c) any law relating to the acquisition, administration or disposal of any property which is or is deemed to be enemy property or evacuee property under any law (not being property which has ceased to be evacuee property under any law); or
(d) any law providing for the taking over of the management of any property by the State for a limited period, either in the public interest or in order to secure the proper management of the property, or for the benefit of its owner; or
(e) any law providing for the acquisition of any class of property for the purpose of-
(i) providing education and medical aid to all or any specified class of citizens; or
ii) providing housing and public facilities and services such as roads, water supply, sewerage, gas and electric power to all or any specified class of citizens; or
(iii) providing maintenance to those who, on account of unemployment, sickness, infirmity or old age, are unable to maintain themselves; or
(f) any existing law or any law made in pursuance of Article 253
(4) The adequacy or otherwise of any compensation provided for by any such law as is referred to in this Article, or determined in pursuance thereof, shall not be called in question in any court.

Equality of citizens.

25. (1) All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.
(2) There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone.
(3) Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children.

Non-discrimination in respect of access to public places.

26. (1) In respect of access to places of public entertainment or resort, not intended for religious purposes only, there shall be no discrimination against any citizen on the ground only of race, religion, caste, sex, residence or place of birth.
(2) Noting in clause (1) shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children.

Safeguard against discrimination in services.

27. (1) No citizen otherwise qualified for appointment in the service of Pakistan shall be discriminated against in respect of any such appointment on the ground only of race, religion, caste, sex, residence or place of birth:
Providing that, for a period not exceeding 1[forty] years from the commencing day, posts may be reserved for persons belonging to any class or area to secure their adequate representation in the service of Pakistan:
Provided further that, in the interest of the said service, specified posts or services may be reserved for members of either sex if such posts or services entail the performance of duties and functions which cannot be adequately performed by members of the other sex.
(2) Nothing in clause (1) shall prevent any Provincial Government, or any local or other authority in a Province, from prescribing, in relation to any post or class of service under that Government or authority, conditions as to residence in the Province, for a period not exceeding three years, prior to appointment under that Government or authority.
1 Subsituted and shall be deemed always to have been so substituted by the Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act 1999)s,2 for "[twenty]" which was previously subs. by P.O No 14 of 1985, Art 2 and sch., for "ten"

Preservation of language, script and culture.


28. Subject to Article 251 any section of citizens having a distinct language, script or culture shall have the right to preserve and promote the same and subject to law, establish institutions for that purpose.

Principles of Policy

29. (1) The Principles set out in this Chapter shall be known as the Principles of Policy, and it is the responsibility of each organ and authority of the State, and of each person performing functions on behalf of an organ or authority of the State, to act in accordance with those Principles in so far as they relate to the functions of the organ or authority.
(2) In so far as the observance of any particular Principle of Policy may be dependent upon resources being available for the purpose, the Principle shall be regarded as being subject to the availability of resources.
(3) In respect of each year, the President in relation to the affairs of the Federation, and the Governor of each Province in relation to the affairs of his Province, shall cause to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly or, as the case may be, the Provincial Assembly, a report on the observance and implementation of the Principles of Policy, and provision shall be made in the rules of procedure of the National Assembly or, as the case may be, the Provincial Assembly, for discussion on such report.

Responsibility with respect to Principles of Policy.

30. (1) The responsibility of deciding whether any action of an organ or authority of the State, or of a person performing functions on behalf of an organ or authority of the State, is in accordance with the Principles of Policy is that of the organ or authority of the State, or of the person, concerned.
(2) The validity of an action or of a law shall not be called in question on the ground that it is not in accordance with the Principles of Policy, and no action shall lie against the State, any organ or authority of the State or any person on such ground.

Islamic way of life.

31. (1) Steps shall be taken to enable the Muslims of Pakistan, individually and collectively, to order their lives in accordance with the fundamental principles and basic concepts of Islam and to provide facilities whereby they may be enabled to understand the meaning of life according to the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
(2) The State shall endeavor, as respects the Muslims of Pakistan,-
(a) to make the teaching of the Holy Quran and Islamiat compulsory, to encourage and facilitate the learning of Arabic language and to secure correct and exact printing and publishing of the Holy Quran;
(b) to promote unity and the observance of the Islamic moral standards; and
(c) to secure the proper organization of Zakat,(usher) auqaf and mosques.

Promotion of local Government institutions.

32. The State shall encourage local Government institutions composed of elected representatives of the areas concerned and in such institutions special representation will be given to peasants, workers and women.

Parochial and other similar prejudices to be discouraged.

33. The State shall discourage parochial, racial, tribal sectarian and provincial prejudices among the citizens.

Full participation of women in national life.

34. Steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national life.

Protection of family, etc.

35. The State shall protect the marriage, the family, the mother and the child.

Protection of minorities.

36. The State shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interest of minorities, including their due representation in the Federal and Provincial services.

Promotion of social justice and eradication of social evils.

37. The State shall-
(a) promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of backward classes or areas;
(b) remove illiteracy and provide free and compulsory secondary education within minimum possible period;
(c) make technical and professional education generally available and higher education equally accessible to all on the basis of merit;
(d) ensure inexpensive and expeditious justice;
(e) make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work, ensuring that children and women are not employed in vocations unsuited to their age or sex, and for maternity benefits for women in employment;
(f) enable the people of different areas, through education, training, agricultural and industrial development and other methods, to participate fully in all forms of national activities, including employment in the service of Pakistan;
(g) prevent prostitution, gambling and taking of injurious drugs, printing, publication, circulation and display of obscene literature and advertisements;
(h) prevent the consumption of alcoholic liquor otherwise than for medicinal and, in the case of non-Muslims, religious purposes; and
(i) decentralize the Government administration so as to facilitate expeditious disposal of its business to meet the convenience and requirements of the public.

Promotion of social and economic well-being of the people.

38. The State shall-
(a) secure the well-being of the people, irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race, by raising their standard of living, by preventing the concentration of wealth and means of production and distribution in the hands of a few to the detriment of general interest and by ensuring equitable adjustment of rights between employers and employees, and landlords and tenants;
(b) provide for all citizens, within the available resources of the country, facilities for work and adequate livelihood with reasonable rest and leisure;
(c) provide for all persons employed in the service of Pakistan or otherwise, social security by compulsory social insurance or other means;
(d) provide basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, housing , education and medical relief, for all such citizens, irrespective of sex caste, creed or race, as are permanently or temporarily unable to earn their livelihood on account of infirmity, sickness or unemployment;
(e) reduce disparity in the income and earnings of individuals, including persons in the various classes of the service of Pakistan; and
(f) eliminate riba as early as possible.

Participation of people in Armed Forces

39. The State shall enable people from all parts of Pakistan to participate in the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

Strengthening bonds with Muslims world and promoting international peace.
.
40. The State shall endeavor to preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic unity, support the common interests of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, promote international peace and security, foster goodwill and friendly relations among all nations and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

The President.

41. (1) There shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of State and shall represent the unity of the Republic.
(2) A person shall not be qualified for election as President unless he is a Muslim of not less than forty-five years of age and is qualified to be elected as member of the National Assembly.
(3) The President to be elected after the expiration of the term specified in clause (7) shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of the Second Schedule by the members of an electoral college consisting of-
(a) the members of both Houses; and
(b) the members of the Provincial Assemblies.
(4) Election to the office of President shall be held not earlier than sixty days and not later than thirty days before the expiration of the term of the President in office:
Provided that, if the election cannot be held within the period aforesaid because the National Assembly is dissolved, it shall be held within thirty days of the general election to the Assembly.
(5) An election to fill a vacancy in the office of President shall be held not later than thirty days from the occurrence of the vacancy:
Provided that, if the election cannot be held within the period aforesaid because the National Assembly is dissolved, it shall be held within thirty days of the general election to the Assembly.
(6) The validity of the election of the President shall not be called in question by or before any court or other authority.
1 (7) The Executive of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan-
(a) shall relinquish the office of Chief Executive on such day as he may determine in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan of 12the May 2000; and
(b) having received the democratic mandate to serve the the nation as President of Pakistan for a period of five years shall, relinquishing the office of Chief Executive, not with the standing anything contained in this Article or Articles 43 or any other provisions of the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force, assume the office of President of Pakistan forthwith and shall hold office of term of five years under the Constitution, and other provision of the Constitution shall apply accordingly.;
2Provided that, paragraph d of clause (1) of Article 63 shall become operative on and from the 31st day of December, 2004."
3(8) Without prejudice to the provisions of the clause (7), any member or members of a House of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or of Provincial Assembly, individually or jointly, may, not later than thirty days from the commencement of the Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 2003, move a resolution for vote of confidence for further affirmation of the President in office by majority of the members present and voting, by division or any other method as prescribed in the rules made by the Federal Government Under clause (9), of the electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Majis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and the Provincial Assemblies, in a special session of each House of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and of each Provincial Assembly summoned for the purpose, and the vote of confidence having been passed, the President, notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution or judgment of any court, shall be deemed to be elected to hold office for a term of five years under the Constitution, and the same shall not be called in question in any court or forum on any ground whatsoever:
(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force, the proceedings for the vote of confident referred to in clause(8) shall be regulated and conducted by the Chief Election Commission in accordance with such procedure and the votes shall be counted in such manner as may be prescribed by the rules framed by the Federal Government:
Provided that clauses (8) and (9) shall be valid only for the forthcoming vote of confidence for the current term of the President in office."
1 Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002(C.E's.O.No.24 of 2002), Art.3 and Sch, for cl.(7), which was previously amended by P.O.No 14 of 1985, Art.2 and Sch.
2.Sub an added by Act No III/2003,dt 31/12/2003

Oath of President.

42. Before entering upon office, the President shall make before the Chief Justice of Pakistan oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.

Conditions of President's office.

43. (1) The President shall not hold any office of profit in the service of Pakistan or occupy any other position carrying the right to remuneration for the rendering of services.
(2) The President shall not be a candidate for election as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or a Provincial Assembly; and, if a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or a Provincial Assembly is elected as President, his seat in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or, as the case may be, the Provincial Assembly shall become vacant on the day he enters upon his office.

Term of office of President.

44. (1) Subject to the Constitution, the President shall hold office for a term of five years from the day he enters upon his office:
Provided that the President shall, notwithstanding the expiration of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office.
(2) Subject to the Constitution, a person holding office as President shall be eligible for re-election to that office, but no person shall hold that office for more than two consecutive terms.
(3) The President may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker of the National Assembly, resign his office.

President's power to grant pardon etc.

45. The President shall have power to grant pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority.

Duties of Prime Minister in relation to President.

46. It shall be the duty of the Prime Minister-
(a) to communicate to the President all decisions of the Cabinet relating to the administration of the affairs of the Federation and proposals for legislation;
(b) to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the Federation and proposals for legislation as the President may call for; and
(c) if the President so requires, to submit for the consideration of the Cabinet any matter on which a decision has been taken by the Prime Minister or a Minister but which has not been considered by the Cabinet.

Removal (or impeachment) of President.

47. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution, the President may, in accordance with the provision of this Article, be removed from office on the ground of physical or mental incapacity or impeached on a charge of violating the Constitution or gross misconduct.
(2) Not less than one-half of the total membership of either House may give to the Speaker of the National Assembly or, as the case may be, the Chairman written notice of its intention to move a resolution for the removal of, or, as the case may be, to impeach, the President; and such notice shall set out the particulars of his incapacity or of the charge against him.
(3) If a notice under clause (2) is received by the Chairman, he shall transmit it forthwith to the Speaker.
(4) The Speaker shall, within three days of the receipt of a notice under clause (2) or clause (3), cause a copy of the notice to be transmitted to the President.
(5) The Speaker shall summon the two Houses to meet in a joint sitting not earlier than seven days and not later than fourteen days after the receipt of the notice by him.
(6) The joint sitting may investigate or cause to be investigated the ground or the charge upon which the notice is founded.
(7) The President shall have the right to appear and be represented during the investigation, if any, and before the joint sitting.
(8) If, after consideration of the result of the investigation, if any, a resolution is passed at the joint sitting by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) declaring that the President is unfit to hold the office due to incapacity or is guilty of violating the Constitution or of gross misconduct, the President shall cease to hold office immediately on the passing of the resolution.

President to act on advice, etc.

48. (1) In the exercise of his functions, the President shall act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet, (or the Prime Minister)
Provided that the President may require the Cabinet or, as the case may be, the Prime Minister to reconsider such advice, either generally or otherwise, and the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause(1), the President shall act in his discretion in respect of any matter in respect of which he is empowered by the Constitution to do so and the validity of anything done by the President in his discretion shall not be called in question on any ground whatsoever".
(4) The question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered to the President by the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, a Minister or Minister of State shall not be inquired into in, or by, any court, tribunal or other authority,
(5) Whether the President dissolves the National Assembly, he shall, in his discretion,-
(a) appoint a date, not later than (Ninety) days from the date of the dissolution, for the holding of a general election to the Assembly, and
(b) appoint a care-taker Cabinet.
(6) If, at any time, the President, in his discretion, or on the advice of the Prime Minister, considers that it is desirable that any matter of national importance should be referred to a referendum, the President may cause the matter to be referred to a referendum in the form of a question that is capable of being answered either by "Yes" or "No".
(7) An Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may lay down the procedure for the holding of a referendum and the compiling and consolidation of the result of a referendum.

Chairman or Speaker to act as, or perform functions of, President.

49. (1) If the office of President becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation or removal of the President, the Chairman or, if he is unable to perform the functions of the office of President, the Speaker of the National Assembly shall act as President until a President is elected in accordance with clause (3) of Article 41.
(2) When the President, by reason of absence from Pakistan or any other cause, is unable to perform his functions, the Chairman or, if he too is absent or unable to perform the functions of the office of President, the Speaker of the National Assembly shall perform the functions of President until the President returns to Pakistan or, as the case may be, resumes his functions

Chapter 2

THE MAJLIS-E-SHOORA (PARLIAMENT)

Composition, Duration and Meetings of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)

Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)

50. There shall be a Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) of Pakistan consisting of the President and two Houses to be known respectively as the National Assembly and the Senate.

National Assembly.

51 1 (1) There shall be three hundred and forty-two seats of the members in the National Assembly, including seats reserved for women and non-Muslims
(1A) The seats in the National Assembly referred to in clause (1), except as provided in clause (2A), are allocated to each Province, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the Federal Capital as under.
General Seats Women Total
Balochistan 14 3 17
The North West Frontier Province 35 8 43
The Punjab 148 35 183
Sind 61 14 75
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas 12 - 12
The Federal Capital 2 - 2
Total 272 60 332
(2) A person shall be entitled to vote if-
(a) he is a citizen of Pakistan;
(b) he is not less than 2(eighteen) years of age;
(c) his name appears on the electoral roll; and
(d) he is not declared by a competent court to be of unsound mind.
3 (2A) In addition to the number of seats referred to in clause (1), there shall be, in the National Assembly, ten seats reserved for non-Muslims
(3) The seats in the National Assembly shall be allocated to each province, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the Federal Capital on the basis pf population in accordance with the last preceding census officially published
'[(4) For the purpose of election to the National Assembly,-
(a) the constituencies for the general seats shall be single member territorial constituencies and the members to fill such seats shall be elected by direct and free vote in accordance with law;
(b) each Province shall be a single constituency for all seats reserved for women which are allocated to the respective Provinces under clause (lA);
(c) the constituency for all seats reserved for non-Muslims shall be the whole country;
(d) members to the seats reserved for women which are allocated to a Province under clause (lA) shall be elected in accordance with law through proportional representation system of political parties' lists of candidates on the basis of total number of general seats secured by each political party from the Province concerned in the National Assembly [:]2
Provided that for the purpose of this sub-clause the total number of general seats won by a political party shall include the independent returned candidate or candidates who may duly join political party within three days of the publication in the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates;
(e) members to the seats reserved for non-Muslims shall be elected in accordance with law through proportional representation system of political parties' lists of candidates on the basis of total number of general seats won by each political party in the National Assembly: .
[Provided that for the purpose of this sub- clause the total number of general seats won by a political party shall include the independent returned candidate or candidates who may duly join such political party within three days of publication un the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates;]]
4* * * * * * *
1Subs by the Legal Framework Order,2002(C.E's O. No 24 of 2002) Art.3 and Sch., for cl. (4), which was previously amended by Act 18 of 1985, s.3.
2 Subs. ibid for "twenty one"
3 Subs by the Legal Framework Order,2002(C.E's O. No 24 of 2002) Art.3 and Sch., for the semi-colon, which was further amended by C.E's. O. No 29 of 2002,Art. 2
4 Cls. (4A) to (6) omitted by Legal Framework Order,2002(C.E's. O.No.24 of 2002),Art.3 ans sch., which was previously amended by various enactments.

Duration of National Assembly

52. The National Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved, continue for a term of five years from the day of its first meeting and shall stand dissolved at the expiration of its term.

Speaker and Deputy Speaker of National Assembly

53 (1) After a general election, the National Assembly shall, at its first meeting and to the exclusion of any other business, elect from amongst its members a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker and, so often as the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the Assembly shall elect another member as Speaker or, as the case may be, Deputy Speaker.
(2) Before entering upon office, a member elected as Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall make before the National Assembly oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.
(3) When the office of Speaker is vacant, or the Speaker is absent or is unable to perform his functions due to any cause, the Deputy Secretary shall act as Speaker, and if, at that time, the Deputy Speaker is also absent or is unable to act as Speaker due to any cause, such member as may be determined by the rules of procedure of the Assembly shall preside at the meeting of the Assembly.
(4) The Speaker or the Deputy Speaker shall not preside at a meeting of the Assembly when a resolution for his removal from office is being considered.
(5) The Speaker may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.
(6) The Deputy Speaker may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker, resign his office.
(7) The office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall become vacant if-
(a) he resigns his office;
(b) he ceases to be a member of the Assembly; or
(c) he is removed from office by a resolution of the Assembly, of which not less than seven days' notice has been given and which is passed by the votes of the majority of the total membership of the Assembly.
(8) When the National Assembly is dissolved, the Speaker shall continue in his office till the person elected to fill the office by the next Assembly enters upon his office.

Summoning and prorogation of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).

54. (1) The President may, from time to time, summon either House or both Houses or Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) in joint sitting to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit and may also prorogue the same.
(2) There shall be at least (three) sessions of the National Assembly every year, and not more than one hundred and twenty days shall intervene between the last sitting of the Assembly in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session:
Provided that the National Assembly shall meet for not less than one hundred and (Thirty) working days in each year.
Explanation.- In this clause, "working days" includes any day on which there is a joint sitting and any period, not exceeding two days, for which the National Assembly is adjourned.
(3) On a requisition signed by not less than one-fourth of the total membership of the National Assembly, the Speaker shall summon the National Assembly to meet, at such time and place as he thinks fit, within fourteen days of the receipt of the requisition; and when the Speaker has summoned the Assembly only he may prorogue it.

Voting in Assembly and quorum.

55. (1) Subject to the Constitution, all decisions of the National Assembly shall be taken by majority of the members present and voting, but the person presiding shall not vote except in the case of equality of votes.
(2) If at any time during a sitting of the National Assembly the attention of the person presiding is drawn to the fact that less than one-fourth of the total membership of the Assembly is present, he shall either adjourn the Assembly or suspend the meeting until at least one-fourth of such membership is present.

Address by President

56. (1) The President may address either House or both Houses assembled together and may for that purpose require the attendance of the members.
(2) The President may send messages to either House, whether with respect to a Bill then pending in the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or otherwise, and a House to which any message is so sent shall with all convenient dispatch consider any matter required by the message to be taken into consideration.
"(3) At the commencement of the first session after each general election to the National Assembly and at the commencement of the first session of each year the President shall address both Houses assembled together and inform the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) of the causes of its summons."
(4) Provision shall be made in the rules for regulating the procedure of a House and the conduct of its business for the allotment of time for discussion of the matters referred to in the address of the President.

Right to speak in (Majlis-e-Shoora(Parliament))

57. The Prime Minister, a Federal Minister, a Minister of State and the Attorney General shall have the right to speak and otherwise take part in the proceedings of either House, or a joint sitting or any committee thereof, of which he may be named a member, but shall not by virtue of this Article be entitled to vote.

Dissolution of the National Assembly.

58. (1) The President shall dissolve the National Assembly if so advised by the Prime Minister; and the National Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved, stand dissolved at the expiration of forty-eight hours after the Prime Minister has so advised.
Explanation. - Reference in this Article to “Prime Minister” shall not be construed to include reference to a Prime Minister against whom a (notice of a resolution for a vote of no-confidence has been given) in the National Assembly but has not been voted upon or against whom such a resolution has been passed or who is continuing in office after his resignation or after the dissolution of the National Assembly
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (2) of Article 48, the President may also dissolve the National Assembly in his discretion where, in his opinion, -
(a) a vote of no-confidence having been passed against the Prime Minister, no other member of the National Assembly is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, as ascertained in a session of the National Assembly summoned for the purpose;
4[(b) a situation has been arisen in which the Government of the Federal cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and an appeal to the electorate in necessary.]
7(3) The President in case of dissolution of the National Assembly under paragraph (b) of clause (2) 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
4 New Paragraph (b) added by the Legal Framework Order, 2002(C.E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art. 3and Sch.,
7 Added by Act No. III/2003, dt.31/12/2003.

The Senate

59. (1) The Senate shall consist of one hundred members, of whom-
(a) fourteen shall be elected by the members of each Provincial Assembly;
(b) eight shall be elected by the members from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in such manner as the President may, by Order, prescribe;
(c) two on general seats, and one woman and one technocrat including aalim shall be elected from the Federal Capital in such manner as the President may, by Order, prescribe;
(d) four women shall be elected by the members of each Provincial Assembly
(e) four technocrats including ulema shall be elected by the members of each Provincial Assembly
(2) Election to fill seats in the Senate allocated to each Province shall be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
(3) The Senate shall not be subject to dissolution but the term of its members, who shall retire as follows, shall be six years:-
(a) of the members referred to in paragraph (a) of clause (1), seven shall retire after the expiration of the first three years and seven shall retire after the expiration of the next three years;
(b) of the members referred to in paragraph (b) of the aforesaid clause, four shall retire after the expiration of the first three years and four shall retire after the expiration of the next three years;
1(c) of the members referred to in paragraph (c) of the aforesaid clause,
(i) one elected on general seat shall retire after the expiration of the first three years and the other one shall retire after the expiration of the next three years
ii) one elected on the seat reserved for technocrat shall retire after first three years and the one elected on the seat reserved for woman shall retire after expiration of the next three years;
3 (d) of the members referred to in paragraph (d) of the aforesaid clause, two shall retire after the expiration of the first three years and two shall retire after the expiration of the next three years; and
(e) of the members referred to in paragraph (e) of the aforesaid clause, two shall retire after the expiration of first three years and two shall retire after the expiration of the next three years
1 Subs. by C.E's O. No. 24 of 2002, Art.3 and Sch., for paragraph (c)
2 Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002, (C.E's. O. No. 24 of 2002) Art.3 and Sch., for paragraph (d)
3 1 Subs. by C.E's O. No. 24 of 2002, Art.3 and Sch., for paragraph (d)

Chairman and Deputy Chairman

60 (1) After the Senate has been duly constituted, it shall, at its first meeting and to the exclusion of any other business, elect from amongst its members a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman and, so often as the Office of Chairman or Deputy Chairman becomes vacant, the Senate shall elect another member as Chairman or, as the case may be, Deputy Chairman.
(2) The term of office of the Chairman or Deputy Chairman shall be [three] years from the day on which he enters upon his office.

Other provisions relating to Senate.
Provisions as to Members of
Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)

61. The provisions of clauses (2) to (7) of Article 53, clauses (2) and (3) of Article 54 and Article 55 shall apply to the Senate as they apply to the National Assembly and, in their application to the Senate, shall have effect as if references therein to the National Assembly, Speaker and Deputy Speaker were references, respectively, to the Senate, Chairman and Deputy Chairman [and as if, in the proviso to the said clause (2) of Article 54, for the words [one hundred and thirty] the word “ninety” were substituted].

Qualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)


62. A person shall not be qualified to be elected or chosen as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) unless—
(a) he is a citizen of Pakistan;
1(b) he is, in the case of National Assembly, not less than twenty- five years of age and is enrolled as a voter in any electoral roll in-
(i) any part of Pakistan, for election to a general seat or a seat reserved for non-Muslims; and
(ii) any area in a Province from which he seeks membership for election to a seat reserved for women
(c) he is, in the case of Senate, not less than thirty years of age and is enrolled as a voter in any area in a Province or, as the case may be, the Federal Administered Tribal Areas, from where he seeks membership;
(d) he is of good character and is not commonly known as one who violates Islamic Injunctions;
(e) he has adequate knowledge of Islamic teachings and practices obligatory duties prescribed by Islam as well as abstains from major sins;
(f) he is sagacious, righteous and non-profligate and honest and ameen;
(g) he has not been convicted for a crime involving moral turpitude or for giving false evidence;
(h) he has not, after the establishment of Pakistan, worked against the integrity of the country or opposed the ideology of Pakistan:
Provided that the disqualifications specified in paragraphs (d) and (e) shall not apply to a person who is a non-Muslim, but such a person shall have good moral reputation; and
(i) he possesses such other qualifications as may be prescribed by Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).
1 Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002, (C.E's. O. No. 24 of 2002) Art.3 and Sch., for cl. (b)

Disqualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).

63. (1) A person shall be disqualified from being elected or chosen as, and from being, a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), if—
(a) he is of unsound mind and has been so declared by a competent court; or
(b) he is an undischarged insolvent; or
(c) he ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan, or acquires the citizenship of a foreign State; or
(d) he holds an office of profit in the service of Pakistan other than an office declared by law not to disqualify its holder; or
(e) he is in the service of any statutory body or any body which is owned or controlled by the Government or in which the Government has a controlling share or interest; or
(f) being a citizen of Pakistan by virtue of section 14B of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951), he is for the time being disqualified under any law in force in Azad Jammu and Kashmir from being elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; or
(g) he is propagating any opinion, or acting in any manner, prejudicial to the Ideology of Pakistan, or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan, or morality, or the maintenance of public order, or the integrity or independence of the judiciary of Pakistan, or which defames or brings into ridicule the judiciary or the Armed Forces of Pakistan; or
1(h) he has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction on the charge of corrupt practice, moral turpitude or misuse of power or authority under any law for the time being in force; or
(i) he has been dismissed from the service of Pakistan or service of a corporation or office set up or, controlled by the Federal Government, Provincial Government on the ground of misconduct or moral turpitude; or ]
(j) he has been removed or compulsorily retired from the service of Pakistan on the ground of misconduct unless a period of three years has elapsed since his removal or compulsory retirement; or
(k) he has been in the service of Pakistan or of any statutory body or any body which is owned or controlled by the Government or in which the Government has a controlling share or interest, unless a period of two years has elapsed since he ceased to be in such service; or
(l) he is found guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice under any law for the time being in force, unless a period of five years has elapsed from the date on which that order takes effect; or
(m) he has been convicted under section 7 of the Political Parties Act, 1962 (III of 1962), unless a period of five years has elapsed from the date of such conviction; or
(n) he, whether by himself or by any person or body of persons in trust for him or for his benefit or on his account or as a member of a Hindu undivided family, has any share or interest in a contract, not being a contract between a cooperative society and Government, for the supply of goods to, or form the execution of any contract or for the performance of any service undertaken by, Government :
Provided that the disqualification under this paragraph shall not apply to a person—
(i) where the share or interest in the contract devolves on him by inheritance or succession or as a legatee, executor or administrator, until the expiration of six months after it has so devolved on him;
(ii) where the contract has been entered into by or on behalf of a public company as defined in the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), of which he is a shareholder but is not a director holding an office of profit under the company; or
(iii) where he is a member of a Hindu undivided family and the contract has been entered into by any other member of that family in the course of carrying on a separate business in which he has no share or interest; or
Explanation. —In this Article “goods” does not include agricultural produce or commodity grown or produced by him or such goods as he is, under any directive of Government or any law for the time being in force, under a duty or obligation to supply.
(o) he holds any office of profit in the service of Pakistan other than the following offices, namely:--
(i) an office which is not whole time office remunerated either by salary or by fee;
(ii) the office of Lumbardar, whether called by this or any other title;
(iii) the Qaumi Razakars;
(iv) any office the holder whereof, by virtue of such office, is liable to be military service under any law providing for the constitution or raising of a Force; or
1 (p) he has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for having absconded by a competent court under any law for time being in force
(q) he has obtained a loan for an amount of two million rupees or more, from any bank, financial institution, cooperative society or cooperative body in his own name or in the name.. of his spouse or any of his dependents, which remains unpaid for more than one year from the due date, or has got such loan written off; or
(r) he or his spouse or any of his dependents has defaulted in payment of government dues, and utility expenses, including telephone, electricity, gas and water charges in excess of ten thousand rupees, for over six months, at the time of filling his nomination papers 2[; or]]
3(s) he is for the time being disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or of a Provincial Assembly under any law for the time being in force.]
4[(2) If any question arises 'whether a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) has become disqualified from being a member, the Speaker or, as the case may be, the Chairman shall, within thirty days from raising of such question refer the question to the Chief Election Commissioner.]
1[(3) Where a question is referred to the Chief Election Commissioner under clause (2), he shall lay such question before the Election Commission which shall give its decision thereon not later than three months from its receipt by the Chief Election Commissioner.]
'Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002 (c. E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art. 3 and Sch., for paragraph (p).
2Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002 (c. E's, O. No. 24 of 2002), Art. 3 and Sch., for the full-stop, which was further amended by C. E's. O. No. 29 of 2002, Art. 2.
3New pragraph (s) added and shall be deemed always to have been so added ibid., ibid.,
4Subs. by C. E's. O. No. 24 of 2002, Art. 3 and Sch., for cl. (2).

Disqualification on ground of defection, etc.


63A. 1(1) If a member of a Parliamentary Party composed of a single political party in a House-
(a) resigns from membership of his political party or joins. another Parliamentary party; or
(b) votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to any direction issued by the Parliamentary Party to which he belongs, in relation to-
(i) election of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister; or
(ii) a vote of confidence or a vote of no-confidence; or
(iii) a Money Bill;
he may be declared in writing by the Head of the Parliamentary party to have defected from the political party, and the Head of the Parliamentary Party may forward a copy of the declaration to to Presiding Officer, and shall similarly forward a copy thereof to the member concerned:
Provided that before making the declaration, the Head of the Parliamentary Party shall provide such member with an opportunity to show cause as to why such declaration may not be made against him.
(2) A member of a House shall be deemed to be a member of a Parliamentary Party if he, having been elected as a candidate as a candidate or nominee of a political party which constitutes the Parliamentary Party in the House or, having been elected otherwise than as a candidate or nominee of a political party, has become a member of such Parliamentary Party after such election after such election by means of a declaration in writing.
(3) Upon receipt of the declaration under clause (1), the Presiding Officer of the House shall within two days refer the declaration to the Chief Election Commissioner who shall lay the declaration before the Election Commission for its decision thereon confirming the declaration or otherwise within thirty days of its receipt by the Chief Election Commissioner.
(4) Where the Election Commission confirms the declaration, the member referred to in clause (1) shall cease to be a member of the House and his seat shall become vacant.
(5) Any party aggrieved by the decision of the Election Commission may, within thirty days, prefer an appeal to the Supreme Court which shall decide the matter within three months from the date of the filing of the appeal.
(6) Nothing contained in this Article shall apply to the Chairman or Speaker of a House.
(7) For the purpose of this Article,-
(a) "House" means the National Assembly or the Senate, in relation to the Federation; and a Provincial Assembly in relation to the Province, as the case may be;
(b) "Presiding Officer" means the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chairman of the Senate or the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, as the case may be.]
1Subs. ibid., for article 63A, which was previously amended by Act 24 of 1997 s.2.

Vacation of seats.

64. (1) A member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker or, as the case may be, the Chairman resign his seat, and thereupon his seat shall become vacant.
(2) A House may declare the seat of a member vacant if, without leave of the House, he remains absent for forty consecutive days of its sittings.

Oath of members.

65. A person elected to a House shall not sit or vote until he has made before the House oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.

Privileges of members, etc.
Procedure Generally

66. (1) Subject to the Constitution and to the rules of procedure of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), there shall be freedom of speech in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and no member shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), and no person shall be so liable in respect of the publication by or under the authority of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) of any report, paper, votes or proceedings.
(2) In other respects, the powers, immunities and privileges of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), and the immunities and privileges of the members of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall be such as may from time to time be defined by law and, until so defined, shall be such as were, immediately before the commencing day, enjoyed by the National Assembly of Pakistan and the committees thereof and its members.
(3) Provision may be made by law for the punishment, by a House, of persons who refuse to give evidence or produce documents before a committee of the House when duly required by the chairman of the committee so to do:
Provided that any such law—
(a) may empower a court to punish a person who refuses to give evidence or produce documents; and
(b) shall have effect subject to such Order for safeguarding confidential matters from disclosure as may be made by the President.
(4) The provisions of this Article shall apply to persons who have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) as they apply to members.
(5) In this Article, Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) means either House or a joint sitting, or a committee thereof.

Rules of Procedure, etc.

67. 1) Subject to the Constitution, a House may make rules for regulating its procedure and the ( conduct of the business, and shall have power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in the membership thereof, and any proceedings in the House shall not be invalid on the ground that some persons who were not entitled to do so sat, voted or otherwise took part in the proceedings.
(2) Until rules are made under clause (1), the procedure and conduct of business in a House shall be regulated by the rules of procedure made by the Parliament.

Restriction on discussion in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).

68. No discussion shall take place in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) with respect to the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties.

Courts not to inquire into proceedings of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).
Legislative Procedure

69. (1) The validity of any proceedings in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall not be called in question on the ground of any irregularity of procedure.
(2) No officer or member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) in whom powers are vested by or under the Constitution for regulating procedure or the conduct of business, or for maintaining order in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall be subject to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise by him of those powers.
(3) In this Article, Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) has the same meaning as in Article 66.

Introduction and passing of Bills.

70. (1) A Bill with respect to any matter in the Federal Legislative List or in the Concurrent Legislative List may originate in either House and shall, if it is passed by the House in which it originated, be transmitted to the other House; and, if the Bill is passed without amendment, by the other House also, it shall be presented to the President for assent.
(2) If a Bill transmitted to a House under clause (1) is rejected or is not passed within ninety days of its receipt or is passed with amendment, the Bill, at the request of the House in which it originated, shall be 1[referred to a Mediation Committee constituted under Article 71 for considered and resolution thereon.]
2[(3)Where a Bill is referred to the Mediation Committee under clause (2), the Mediation Committee shall, within ninety days, formulate an agreed Bill which is likely to be passed by both Houses of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and place the agreed Bill separately before each House, and if both the Houses pass the Bill, it shall be presented to the President for assent]
(4) In this Article and the succeeding provisions of the Constitution, "Federal Legislative List" and ".Concurrent Legislative List" means respectively the Federal Legislative List and the Concurrent Legislative List in the Fourth Schedule.]
1 Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002(C.E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art.3 and Sch., for certain words
2 Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002(C.E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art.3 and Sch., for cl.(3)

Mediation Committee.


71. 1(1) Both Houses of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall, within fifteen days from the date of referral of the Bill by the House in which it was originated for consideration and resolution by the Mediation Committee under clause (2) of Article 70, nominate eight members each as members of a Mediation Committee.
(2) The House in which the Bill was originated shall nominate a member of the Mediation Committee as Chairman of the Committee and the other House shall nominate a member as the Vice-Chairman thereof.
(3) All decisions of the Mediation Committee shall be made by a majority of the total number of members of each House in the Committee.
(4) The President may, in consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Senate, make rules for conduct of business of the Mediation Committee.]
1Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002(C.E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art.3 and Sch., for cl.(3)

Procedure at joint sittings.

72. (1) The President, after consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairman, may make rules as to the procedure with respect to the joint sittings of, and communications between, the two Houses.
(2) At the joint sitting, the Speaker of the National Assembly or, in his absence, such person as may be determined by the rules made under clause (1), shall preside.
(3) The rules made under clause (1) shall be laid before a joint sitting and may be added to, varied, amended or replaced at a joint sitting.
(4) Subject to the Constitution, all decisions at a joint sitting shall be taken by the votes of the majority of the members present and voting.

Procedure with respect to Money Bill.

73. 1(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in Article 70, a Money Bill shall originate in the National Assembly:
Provided that simultaneously when a Money Bill, including the Finance Bill containing the Annual Budget Statement, is presented in the National Assembly, a copy thereof shall be transmitted to the Senate which may, within seven days, make recommendations thereon to the National Assembly
(1A) The National Assembly shall, consider the recommendations of the Senate and after the Bill has been passed by the assembly with or without incorporating the recommendations of the Senate, it shall be presented to the President for assent]
(2) For the purposes of this Chapter, a Bill or amendment shall be deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains provisions dealing with all or any of the following matters, namely:-
(a) the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax;
(b) the borrowing of money, or the giving of any guarantee, by the Federal Government, or the amendment of the law relating to the financial obligations of that Government;
(c) the custody of the Federal Consolidated Fund, the payment of moneys into, or the issue of moneys from, that Fund;
(d) the imposition of a charge upon the Federal Consolidated Fund, or the abolition or alteration of any such charge;
(e) the receipt of moneys on account of the Public Account of the Federation, the custody or issue of such moneys;
(f) the audit of the accounts of the Federal Government or a Provincial Government; and
(g) any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in the preceding paragraphs.
(3) A Bill shall not be deemed to be a Money Bill by reason only that it provides—
(a) for the imposition or alteration of any fine or other pecuniary penalty, or for the demand or payment of a licence fee or a fee or charge for any service rendered; or
(b) for the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax by any local authority or body for local purposes.
(4) If any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the National Assembly thereon shall be final.
(5) Every Money Bill presented to the President for assent shall bear a certificate under the hand of the Speaker of the National Assembly that it is a Money Bill, and such certificate shall be conclusive for all purposes and shall not be called in question.
1Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002(C.E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art.3 and Sch., for cl.(1), which was previously amended by P.O 14 of 1985), Art.2 and Sch.,

Federal Government’s consent required for financial measures.

74. A Money Bill, or a Bill or amendment which if enacted and brought into operation would involve expenditure from the Federal Consolidated Fund or withdrawal from the Public Account of the Federation or affect the coinage or currency of Pakistan or the constitution or functions of the State Bank of Pakistan shall not be introduced or moved in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) except by or with the consent of the Federal Government.

President’s assent to Bills.

75. (1) When a Bill is presented to the President for assent, the President shall, within thirty days.—
(a) assent to the Bill; or
(b) in the case of a Bill other than a Money Bill, return the Bill to the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) with a message requesting that the Bill, or any specified provision thereof, be reconsidered and that any amendment specified in the message be considered.
(2) When the President has returned a Bill to the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), it shall be reconsidered by the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) 1* * * and, if it is again passed, with or without amendment, by the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), 2 [in accordance with article 70] it shall be deemed for the purposes of the Constitution to have been passed by both Houses and shall be presented to the President and the President shall not withhold assent therefrom.
(3) When the President has assented to a Bill, it shall become law and be called an Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).
(4) No Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament), and no provision in any such Act, shall be invalid by reason only that some recommendation, previous sanction or consent required by the Constitution was not given if that Act was assented to in accordance with the Constitution.
1The words "in joint sitting" omitted by the Legal Framework Order, 2002(C.E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art.3 and Sch.,
Subs. ibid., for certain words

Bill not to lapse on prorogation, etc

76. (1) A Bill pending in either House shall not lapse by reason of the prorogation of the House.
(2) A Bill pending in the Senate which has not been passed by the National Assembly shall not lapse on the dissolution of the National Assembly.
(3) A Bill pending in the National Assembly, or a Bill which having been passed by the National Assembly is pending in the Senate, shall lapse on the dissolution of the National Assembly.

Financial Procedure
.
77. No tax shall be levied for the purposes of the Federation except by or under the authority of Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) Tax to be levied by law only.

Federal Consolidated Fund and Public Account

78. (1) All revenues received by the Federal Government, all loans raised by that Government, and all moneys received by it in repayment of any loan, shall form part of a consolidated fund, to be known as the Federal Consolidated Fund.
(2) All other moneys—
(a) received by or on behalf of the Federal Government; or
(b) received by or deposited with the Supreme Court or any other court established under the authority of the Federation;
shall be credited to the Public Account of the Federation.

Custody, etc., of Federal Consolidated Fund and Public Account.

79. The custody of the Federal Consolidated Fund, the payment of moneys into that Fund, the withdrawal of moneys therefrom, the custody of other moneys received by or on behalf of the Federal Government, their payment into, and withdrawal from, the Public Account of the Federation, and all matters connected with or ancillary to the matters aforesaid shall be regulated by Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or, until provision in that behalf is so made, by rules made by the President.

Annual Budget Statement.

80. (1) The Federal Government shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be laid before the National Assembly a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Federal Government for that year, in this Part referred to as the Annual Budget Statement.
(2) The Annual Budget Statement shall show separately—
(a) the sums required to meet expenditure described by the Constitution as expenditure charged upon the Federal Consolidated Fund; and
(b) the sums required to meet other expenditure proposed to be made from the Federal Consolidated Fund;
and shall distinguish expenditure on revenue account from other expenditure.

Expenditure charged upon Federal Consolidated Fund.

81. The following expenditure shall be expenditure charged upon the Federal Consolidated Fund:-
(a) the remuneration payable to the President and other expenditure relating to his office, and the remuneration payable to-
(i) the Judges of the Supreme Court;
(ii) the Chief Election Commissioner;
(iii) the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman;
(iv) the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly;
(v) the Auditor General;
(b) the administrative expenses, including the remuneration payable to officers and servants, of the Supreme Court, the department of the Auditor-General and the Office of the Chief Election Commissioner and of the Election Commission and the Secretariat of the Senate and the National Assembly;
(c) all debt charges for which the Federal Government is liable, including interest, sinking fund charges, the repayment or amortisation of capital, and other expenditure in connection with the raising of loans, and the service and redemption of debt on the security of the Federal Consolidated Fund;
(d) any sums required to satisfy any judgment, decree or award against Pakistan by any court or tribunal; and
(e) any other sums declared by the Constitution or by Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) to be so charged.

Procedure relating to Annual Budget Statement.

82. (1) So much of the Annual Budget Statement as relates to expenditure charged upon the Federal Consolidated Fund may be discussed in, but shall not be submitted to the vote of, the National Assembly.
(2) So much of the Annual Budget Statement as relates to other expenditure shall be submitted to the National Assembly in the form of demands for grants, and the Assembly shall have power to assent to, or to refuse to assent to, any demand, or to assent to any demand subject to a reduction of the amount specified therein:
Provided that, for a period of ten years from the commencing day or the holding of the second general election to the National Assembly, whichever occurs later, a demand shall be deemed to have been assented to without any reduction of the amount specified therein, unless, by the votes of a majority of the total membership of the Assembly, it is refused or assented to subject to a reduction of the amount specified therein
(3) No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the Federal Government.

83. (1) The Prime Minister shall authenticate by his signature a schedule specifying—
(a) the grants made or deemed to have been made by the National Assembly under Article 82, and
(b) the several sums required to meet the expenditure charged upon the Federal Consolidated Fund but not exceeding, in the case of any sum, the sum shown in the statement previously laid before the National Assembly.
(2) The schedule so authenticated shall be laid before the National Assembly, but shall not be open to discussion or vote thereon.
(3) Subject to the Constitution, no expenditure from the Federal Consolidated Fund shall be deemed to be duly authorised unless it is specified in the schedule so authenticated and such schedule is laid before the National Assembly as required by clause (2). Authentication of schedule of authorised expenditure.

Supplementary and excess grants.


84. If in respect of any financial year it is found—
(a) that the amount authorised to be expended for a particular service for the current financial year is insufficient, or that a need has arisen for expenditure upon some new service not included in the Annual Budget Statement for that year; or
(b) that any money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that service for that year;
the Federal Government shall have power to authorise expenditure from the Federal Consolidated Fund, whether the expenditure is charged by the Constitution upon that Fund or not, and shall cause to be laid before the National Assembly a Supplementary Budget Statement or, as the case may be, an Excess Budget Statement, setting out the amount of that expenditure, and the provisions of Articles 80 to 83 shall apply to those statements as they apply to the Annual Budget Statement.

Votes on account.


85. Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions relating to financial matters, the National Assembly shall have power to make any grant in advance in respect of the estimated expenditure for a part of any financial year, not exceeding four months, pending completion of the procedure prescribed in Article 82 for the voting of such grant and the authentication of the schedule of authorised expenditure in accordance with the provisions of Article 83 in relation to the expenditure.

Power to authorise expenditure when Assembly stands dissolved.


86. Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions relating to financial matters, at any time when the National Assembly stands dissolved, the Federal Government may authorise expenditure from the Federal Consolidated Fund in respect of the estimated expenditure for a period not exceeding four months in any financial year, pending completion of the procedure prescribed in Article 82 for the voting of grants and the authentication of the schedule of authorised expenditure in accordance with the provisions of Article 83 in relation to the expenditure.

Secretariats of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).

87. (1) Each House shall have a separate Secretariat:
Provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as preventing the creation of posts common to both Houses.
(2) Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may by law regulate the recruitment and the conditions of service of persons appointed to the secretarial staff of either House.
(3) Until provision is made by Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) under clause (2), the Speaker or, as the case may be, the Chairman may, with the approval of the President, make rules regulating the recruitment, and the conditions of service, of persons appointed to the secretarial staff of the National Assembly or the Senate.

Ordinances

88. (1) The expenditure of the National Assembly and the Senate within authorised appropriations shall be controlled by the National Assembly or, as the case may be, the Senate acting on the advice of its Finance Committee.
(2) The Financer Committee shall consist of the Speaker or, as the case may be, the Chairman, the Minister of Finance and such other members as may be elected thereto by the National Assembly or, as the case may be, the Senate.
(3) The Finance Committee may make rules for regulating its procedure.
Finance Committees.

Power of President to promulgate Ordinances

89. (1) The President may, except when the National Assembly is in session, if satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action, make and promulgate an Ordinance as the circumstances may require.
(2) An Ordinance promulgated under this Article shall have the same force and effect as an Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and shall be subject to like restrictions as the power of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) to make law, but every such Ordinance—
(a) shall be laid—
(i) before the National Assembly if it {contains provisions dealing with all or any of the matters specified in clause (2) of Article 73}, and shall stand repealed at the expiration of four months from its promulgation or, if before the expiration of that period a resolution disapproving it is passed by the Assembly, upon the passing of that resolution;
(ii) before both Houses if it {does not contain provisions dealing with any of the matters referred to in sub-paragraph (i)}, and shall stand repealed at the expiration of four months from its promulgation or, if before the expiration of that period a resolution disapproving it is passed by either House, upon the passing of that resolution; and
(b) may be withdrawn at any time by the President.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of clause (2), an Ordinance laid before the National Assembly shall be deemed to be a Bill introduced in the National Assembly.


Chapter 3- Federal Government

Exercise of executive authority of the Federation.

90. (1) The executive authority of the Federation shall vest in the President and shall be exercised by him, either directly or through officers subordinate to him, in accordance with the Constitution.
(2) Nothing contained in clause (1) shall—
(a) be deemed to transfer to the President any functions conferred by any existing law on the Government of any Province or other authority; or
(b) prevent the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) from conferring by law functions on authorities other than the President.

The Cabinet.

91. (1) There shall be a Cabinet of Ministers, with the Prime Minister at its head, to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions.
(2) The President shall in his discretion appoint from amongst the members of the National Assembly a Prime Minister who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly.
(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (2), after the twentieth day of March, one thousand nine hundred and ninety, the President shall invite the member of the National Assembly to be the Prime Minister who commands the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly, as ascertained in a session of the Assembly summoned for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
(3) The person appointed under clause (2) {or, as the case may be, invited under clause (2A) shall, before entering upon the office, make before the President oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule and shall within a period of sixty days thereof obtain a vote of confidence from the National Assembly.
(4) The Cabinet, together with the Ministers of State, shall be collectively responsible to the National Assembly.
(5) The Prime Minister shall hold office during the pleasure of the President, but the President shall not exercise his powers under this clause unless he is satisfied that the Prime Minister does not command the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly, in which case he shall summon the National Assembly and require the Prime Minister to obtain a vote of confidence from the Assembly.
(6) The Prime Minister may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.
(7) A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of the National Assembly shall, at the expiration of that period, cease to be a Minister and shall not before the dissolution of that Assembly be again appointed a Minister unless he is elected a member of that Assembly:
Provided that nothing contained in this clause shall apply to a Minister who is a member of the Senate.
(8) Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed as disqualifying the Prime Minister or any other Minister or a Minister of State for continuing in office during any period during which the National Assembly stands dissolved, or as preventing the appointment of any person as Prime Minister or other Minister or as Minister of State during any such period.

Federal Ministers and Ministers of State.

92. (1) Subject to clauses (7) and (8), the President shall appoint Federal Ministers of State from amongst the members of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) on the advice of the Prime Minister:
Provided that the number of Federal Ministers and Ministers of State who are members of the Senate shall not at any time exceed one-fourth of the number of Federal Ministers.
(2) Before entering upon office, a Federal Minister or Minister of State shall make before the President oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.
(3) A Federal Minister or Minister of State may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office or may be removed from office by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Advisers.


93. (1) The President may, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint not more than five Advisers, on such terms and conditions as he may determine.
(2) The provisions of Article 57 shall also apply to an Adviser.

Prime Minister continuing in office.

94. The President may ask the Prime Minister to continue to hold office until, his successor enters upon the office of Prime Minister.

Vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister.

95. (1) A resolution for a vote of no-confidence moved by not less than twenty per centum of the total membership of the National Assembly may be passed against the Prime Minister by the National Assembly.
(2) A resolution referred to in clause (1) shall not be voted upon before the expiration of three days, or later than seven days, from the day on which such resolution is moved in the National Assembly.
(3) A resolution referred to in clause (1) shall not be moved in the National Assembly while the National Assembly is considering demands for grants submitted to it in the Annual Budget Statement.
(4) If the resolution referred to in clause (1) is passed by a majority of the total membership of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister shall cease to hold office.

96. Omitted

Extent of executive authority of Federation

97. Subject to the Constitution, the executive authority of the Federation shall extend to the matters with respect to which Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) has power to make laws, including exercise of rights, authority and jurisdiction in and in relation to areas outside Pakistan. Provided that the said authority shall not, save as expressly provided in the Constitution or in any law made by Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), extend in any Province to a matter with respect to which the Provincial Assembly has also power to make laws.

Conferring of functions on subordinate authorities

98. On the recommendation of the Federal Government, Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may by law confer functions upon officers or authorities subordinate to the Federal Government.

Conduct of business of Federal Government.
.
99. (1) All executive actions of the Federal Government shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the President.
(2) The President shall by rules specify the manner in which orders and other instruments made and executed in his name shall be authenticated, and the validity of any order or instrument so authenticated shall not be questioned in any court on the ground that it was not made or executed by the President.
(3) The President shall also make rules for the allocation and transaction of the business of the Federal Government.

Attorney General for Pakistan

100. (1) The President shall appoint a person, being a person qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court, to be the Attorney-General for Pakistan.
(2) The Attorney-General shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.
(3) It shall be the duty of the Attorney-General to give advice to the Federal Government upon such legal matters, and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may be referred or assigned to him by the Federal Government, and in the performance of his duties he shall have the right of audience in all courts and tribunals in Pakistan.
(4) The Attorney-General may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.


Provinces

CHAPTER 1. ---- THE GOVERNORS

Appointment of Governor.

101. (1) There shall be a Governor for each Province, who shall be appointed by the President 1after consultation with the Prime Minister
(2) A person shall not be appointed a Governor unless he is qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly and is not less than thirty-five years of age.
(3) The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President {and shall be entitled to such salary, allowances and privileges as the President may determine}.
(4) The Governor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.
(5) The President may make such provision as he thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of a Governor {in any contingency not provided for in this part}.
2 Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002, (C.E's. O. No. 24 of 2002) Art.3 and Sch., for "on advice of" which was previously amendedby Act 1 of 1997 s.3 for "after consultation with"

Oath of office.

102. Before entering upon office, the Governor shall make before the Chief Justice of the High Court oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.

Conditions of Governor’s office.

103. (1) The Governor shall not hold any office of profit in the service of Pakistan or occupy any other position carrying the right to remuneration for the rendering of service.
(2) The Governor shall not be a candidate for election as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or a Provincial Assembly and, if a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or a Provincial Assembly is appointed as Governor, his seat in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or, as the case may be, the Provincial Assembly shall become vacant on the day he enters upon his office.

Acting Governor.

104. When the Governor is absent from Pakistan or is unable to perform the functions of his office due to any cause, such other person as the President may direct shall act as Governor.

Governor to act on advice etc

105. (1) Subject to the Constitution, in the performance of his functions, the Governor shall act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet {or the Chief Minister}:
{Provided that the Governor may require the Cabinet or, as the case may be, the Chief Minister to reconsider such advice, whether generally or otherwise, and the Governor shall act in accordance with the advice of tendered after such reconsideration.}
(2) The question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered to the Governor by the Chief Minister {or the Cabinet} shall not be inquired into in, or by, any court, tribunal or other authority.
(3) Where the Governor dissolves the Provincial Assembly, he shall appoint, in his discretion, but with the previous approval of the President, a care-taker Cabinet.
(4) The powers conferred by this Article on the President shall be exercised by him in his discretion.
(5) The provisions of clause (2) of Article 48 shall have effect in relation to a Governor as if reference therein to “President” were reference to “Governor”.


CHAPTER 2. --- PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLIES

Constitution of Provincial Assemblies.

106.
1(1) Each Provincial Assembly shall consist of general seats and seats reserved for women and non-Muslims as specified herein below;-
General Seats Women Non-Muslims Total
Baluchistan 51 11 3 65
The North-West Frontier Province 99 22 3 124
The Punjab 297 66 8 371
Sind 297 29 9 168
(2) A person shall be entitled to vote if—
(a) he is a citizen of Pakistan;
(b) he is not less than 2[eighteen] years of age;
(c) his name appears on the electoral roll for any area in the Province; and
(d) he is not declared by a competent court to be of unsound mind
3[(3) For the purpose of election to a Provincial Assembly,-
(a) the constituencies for the general seats shall be single member territorial constituencies and the members to fill such seats shall be elected by direct and free vote;
(b) each Province shall be a single constituency for all seats reserved for women and non-Muslims allocated to the respective Provinces under clause (1);
(c) the members to fill seats reserved for women and non-Muslims allocated to a Province under clause (1) shall be elected in accordance with law through proportional representation system of political parties' lists of candidates on the basis of the total number of general seats secured by each political pal1y in the Provincial Assembly: .
4[Provided that for the purpose of this sub-clause, the total number of general seats won by a political party shall include the independent returned candidate or candidates who may duly join such political party within three days of the publication in the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates.]].
5 * * * * * *
1Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002 (C. E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art 3 and Sch., for cl.(1)
2 Subs.ibid., for "twenty one "which was previously amended by P.O No 14 of 1985, Art. 2 and Sch., for "eighteen".
3 Subs. by C. E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art 3 and Sch., for the original proviso, which was previously amended by P.O. No. 14 of 1985 Art. 2 and Sch., for cl.(3).
4 Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002 (C. E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art 3 and Sch., for the original proviso, which was further amended by C. E's. O. No. 29 of 2002, Art. 2.
5 'Cis. (4), (5) and (6) omitted ibid., which was previously amended by various enactments.

Duration of Provincial Assembly.

107. A Provincial Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved, continue for a term of five years from the day of its first meeting and shall stand dissolved at the expiration of its term.

Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

108. After a general election, a Provincial Assembly shall, at its first meeting and to the exclusion of any other business, elect from amongst its members a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker and, so often as the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the Assembly shall elect another member as Speaker or, as the case may be, Deputy Speaker.

Summoning and prorogation of Provincial Assembly.

109. The Governor may from time to time—
(a) summon the Provincial Assembly to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit; and
(b) prorogue the Provincial Assembly.

Right of Governor to address Provincial Assembly.

110. The Governor may address the Provincial Assembly and may for that purpose require the attendance of the members.

Right to speak in Provincial Assembly.

111. The Advocate-General shall have the right to speak and otherwise take part in the proceedings of the Provincial Assembly or any committee thereof which he may be named a member, but shall not by virtue of this Article be entitled to vote.

Dissolution of Provincial Assembly.

112. (1) The Governor shall dissolve the Provincial Assembly if so advised by the Chief Minister; and the Provincial Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved at the expiration of forty-eight hours after the Chief Minister has so advised.
Explanation.—Reference in this Article to “Chief Minister” shall not be construed to include reference to a Chief Minister against whom a {notice of a resolution for a vote of no-confidence has been given} in the Provincial Assembly but has not been voted upon or against whom a resolution for a vote of no-confidence has been passed or who is continuing in office by virtue of clause (2) of Article 134 or a Provincial Minister performing the functions of Chief Minister under clause (1) or clause (3) of Article 135.
(2) The Governor may also dissolve the Provincial Assembly in his discretion, but subject to the previous approval of the President, where, in his opinion,--
(a) a vote of no-confidence having been passed against the Chief Minister, no other member of the Provincial Assembly is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Provincial Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, as ascertained in a session of the Provincial Assembly summoned for the purpose.
1(b) a situation has arisen in which the Government of the Province cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and an appeal to the electorate is necessary.]
2(3) The Governor in case of dissolution of the Provincial Assembly under paragraph (b) of clause (2) shall, within fifteen days of the dissolution, refer the matter to the Supreme Court with the previous approval of the President and the Supreme Court shall decide the reference within thirty days whose decision shall be final.
1 Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002 (C. E's O. No. 24 of 2002), Art 3 and Sch.,
2 Added by Act No.III/2003,dt 31-12-2003

Qualifications and disqualifications for membership of Provincial Assembly.

113. The qualifications and disqualifications for membership of the National Assembly set out in Articles 62 and 63 shall also apply for membership of a Provincial Assembly as if reference therein to “National Assembly” were a reference to “Provincial Assembly”.

Restriction on discussion in Provincial Assembly.

114. No discussion shall take place in a Provincial Assembly with respect to the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties.

Provincial Government’s consent required for financial measures.

115. (1) A Money Bill, or a Bill or amendment which if enacted and brought into operation would involve expenditure from the Provincial Consolidated Fund or withdrawal from the Public Account of the Province shall not be introduced or moved in the Provincial Assembly except by or with the consent of the Provincial Government.
(2) For the purposes of this Article, a Bill or amendment shall be deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains provisions dealing with all or any of the following matters, namely:--
(a) the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax;
(b) the borrowing of money, or the giving of any guarantee, by the Provincial Government or the amendment of the law relating to the financial obligations of that Government;
(c) the custody of the Provincial Consolidated Fund, the payment of moneys into, or issue of moneys from, that Fund;
(d) the imposition of a charge upon the Provincial Consolidated Fund, or the abolition or alteration of any such charge;
(e) the receipt of moneys on account of the Public Account of the Province, the custody or issue of such moneys; and
(f) any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in the preceding paragraphs.
(3) A Bill shall not be deemed to be a Money Bill by reasons only that it provides—
(a) for the imposition or alteration of any fine or other pecuniary penalty or for the demand or payment of a licence fee or a fee or charge for any service rendered; or
(b) for the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax by any local authority or body for local purposes.
(4) If any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly thereon shall be final.
(5) Every Money Bill presented to the Governor for assent shall bear a certificate under the hand of the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly that it is a Money Bill and such certificate shall be conclusive for all purposes and shall not be called in question.

Governor’s assent to Bills.

116. (1) When a Bill has been passed by the Provincial Assembly, it shall be presented to the Governor for assent.
(2) When a Bill is presented to the Governor for assent, the Governor shall, within {thirty} days,--
(a) assent to the Bill; or
(b) in the case of a Bill other than a Money Bill, return the Bill to the Provincial Assembly with a message requesting that the Bill, or any specified provision thereof, be reconsidered and that any amendment specified in the message be considered.
(3) When the Governor has returned a Bill to the Provincial Assembly, it shall be reconsidered by the Provincial Assembly and, if it is again passed, with or without amendment, by the Provincial Assembly, by the votes of the majority of the members of the Provincial Assembly present and voting, it shall be again presented to the Governor and the Governor shall not withhold assent therefrom.
(4) When the Governor has assented to a Bill, it shall become law and be called an Act of Provincial Assembly.
(5) No Act of a Provincial Assembly, and no provision in any such Act, shall be invalid by reason only that some recommendation, previous sanction or consent required by the Constitution was not given if that Act was assented to in accordance with the Constitution.

Bill not to lapse on prorogation, etc.
Financial Procedure

117. (1) A Bill pending in a Provincial Assembly shall not lapse by reason of the prorogation of the Assembly.
(2) A Bill pending in a Provincial Assembly shall lapse on the dissolution of the Assembly.

Provincial Consolidated Fund and Public Account.

118. (1) All revenues received by the Provincial Government, all loans raised by that Government, and all moneys received by it in repayment of any loan, shall form part of a consolidated fund, to be known as the Provincial Consolidated Fund.
(2) All other moneys—
(a) received by or on behalf of the Provincial Government; or
(b) received by or deposited with the High Court or any other court established under the authority of the Province;
shall be credited to the Public Account of the Province.

Custody, etc., of Provincial Consolidated Fund and Public Account.

119. The custody of the Provincial Consolidated Fund, the payment of moneys into that Fund, the withdrawal of moneys therefrom, the custody of other moneys received by or on behalf of the Provincial Government, their payment into, and withdrawal from, the Public Account of the Province, and all matters connected with or ancillary to the matters aforesaid, shall be regulated by Act of the Provincial Assembly or, until provision in that behalf is so made, by rules made by the Governor.

Annual Budget Statement.

120. (1) The Provincial Government shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be laid before the Provincial Assembly a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Provincial Government for that year, in this Chapter referred to as the Annual Budget Statement.
(2) The Annual Budget Statement shall show separately—
(a) the sums required to meet expenditure described by the Constitution as expenditure charged upon the Provincial Consolidated Fund; and
(b) the sums required to meet other expenditure proposed to be made from the Provincial Consolidated Fund;
and shall distinguish expenditure on revenue account from other expenditure.