Legislative Procedure in Parliament: Act and Ordinance

A legislature is a governing body responsible for making decisions and shaping laws, typically at the national level. Legislatures play a crucial role in overseeing and guiding governing actions, often having the sole authority to make changes to the budget or be involved in the budgeting process.

Legislation in Parliament

The most commonly used names for national legislatures are “parliament” and “congress,” although it’s important to note that these terms have more specific meanings. A legislature consists of one or more deliberative assemblies that engage in separate discussions and voting on bills. These assemblies are typically referred to as chambers or houses.

A legislature that consists of only one house is known as a unicameral legislature, whereas a bicameral legislature is composed of two separate chambers, often referred to as an “upper house” and a “lower house.” Typically, both have different responsibilities and authority of these bodies, with the upper house often playing a more consultative or advisory role in parliamentary systems. Additionally, the methods for selecting members can vary.

In presidential systems, the powers of the two houses are often similar or equal, while in federations, the upper house typically represents the federation’s component states. This is the situation with the legislative body of the European Union that operates at a supranational level. The upper house can be composed of representatives from state governments, following a formula that ensures equal representation for states with smaller populations.

This approach is seen in countries like Australia and the United States. The legislature is an important component of the state that is responsible for making laws. However, laws govern the behavior of individuals. Pakistan operates as an Islamic Republic where the voice of the people is channeled through their elected representatives, who are responsible for making laws.

Legislative Procedure in Parliament

How Ordinance becomes an act? When the session of the assembly is started, an ordinance promulgated by the president or governors is presented for confirmation. If 2/3 members of the assembly approve, it becomes an act. Each ordinance is valid for four months (120 days). Before the end of this period, it can become an act with the approval of Parliament.

We can see the detailed procedure of legislation in parliament in Articles 70-88 of the Constitution of 1973. National Assembly and Senate, both houses of parliament do the job of central legislation. All laws made by parliament have to pass through the same way which we are going to discuss in detail.

Preparation

When the central Government feels a specific law, it gets for written preparation of that proposal according to Govt point of view. When opposition members or common members in the National Assembly want so, they prepare legislation proposals by using their own resources.

First Reading

After the preparation of the proposal, it is sent to the speaker of the National Assembly. Then it is published and included in the official gazette. Unofficial proposals are not placed in the official gazette. Moving members present the proposal in the House on the day decided by the speaker of the National Assembly. It is called the introduction of a proposal in the House.

Then moving person requests the speaker to present a proposal for debate in-house or to send it to the committee. After that debate on this proposal, if the majority of members in the Assembly approve, it is sent to the committee.

Committee

Different committees are formed in the National Assembly & Senate to deal with different types of proposals for lawmaking. For example, the education committee deals with such proposals which are concerned with educational matters. Every committee discusses proposals in detail committee may take opinions from experts, ministers, and common citizens. That committee sends the proposal back in-house with its positive or negative opinion. The committee is not allowed to change the actual proposal.

Second Reading

This step is considered very important. After coming back from the committee, the proposal is discussed in depth in detail. Every member may take part in the discussion. After the completion of the debate, the moving person requests the speaker to present a proposal for voting. If the majority of members favor it, a proposal is considered valid for the next step.

Third Reading

The date & time is decided by the speaker of the National Assembly for the third reading of the Proposal. At this stage, the Proposal is not discussed in detail. After a short debate, members cast votes in favor or opposite to the proposal. After approval of the majority, the Proposal is handed over to the second House.

Proposal in Second House

If the Senate is a Second House, it prepares its document within three months. If it does not decide in a limited period, a proposal is considered a “Law” without its approval. Senate may reject, amend, or approve the proposal. If it amends, the National Assembly repeats the above procedure. After second approval from the National Assembly, a proposal is not sent to the Senate. It is directly sent to the president for final approval.

Sometimes, a joint meeting of both houses (senate & National Assembly) is called to approve a proposal. The speaker of the National Assembly presides over such meetings. If he is absent, the chairman of the senate presides. The proposal is sent for final approval if the majority of both houses approve it.

Approval of President

After approval of a proposal from both houses, it is sent to the president. It is sent with the advice of the Prime Minister. President makes it a complete law after signing it. The president has the power to approve the proposal or to send it back for revision. If both houses approve it again, the President has to sign it.

Difference between Act and Ordinance