Pakistan

National AssemblySenate

National Assembly

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution of Pakistan, Article 91(6)- Power to summon Cabinet together with the Ministers of State
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly 2007- Rule 227 (3)
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution of Pakistan, Article 175 and 218 (A)
Chief Election Commissioner is appointed through the Parliamentary Committee, Constitution of Pakistan, Article 213 and 218
Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
5
Number of written questions asked, per year
7,375 (2021)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
1,378 (2021)
See historical data for this field.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly 2007- Rule 201 (4), Rule 101
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
(2020)
See historical data for this field.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament elects the Head of Government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution of Pakistan, Part III, Chapter #3, Article 91, Section 4
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament elects the Head of State
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Head of State, the President, is elected through the voting of the members of electoral college, which comprises of the members of both the Houses (NA and Senate) and the four Provincial Assemblies.

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
The Head of Government
Individual members of the Executive
Other (please specify)
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution of Pakistan: For The Head of Government (Prime Minister)- only National Assembly (Article 95)
For the Head of State (President) - National Assembly and Senate (Article 47)
For Members of the Executive 62,63 and 63(a), for Chief Minister, 136(1).
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Not applicable
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The Head of Government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution of Pakistan, Part III, Chapter 3, Article 95 (1)
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No