In Pakistan, the National Assembly, the lower house of its bicameral parliament, comprises a total of 342 members.
The National Assembly serves as the primary legislative body of Pakistan, responsible for enacting laws, approving the national budget, and holding the government accountable. Its composition is carefully structured to ensure representation across various segments of society.
Composition of the National Assembly
The 342 seats in the National Assembly are allocated through a combination of direct elections and reserved seats, ensuring diverse representation. This structure is mandated by the Constitution of Pakistan.
The distribution of seats is as follows:
| Category | Number of Seats | Allocation Method |
|---|---|---|
| Directly Elected Seats | 266 | Members are elected directly from constituencies across Pakistan. |
| Reserved Seats for Women | 60 | Allocated to political parties based on proportional representation of their general seats won. |
| Reserved Seats for Religious Minorities | 10 | Allocated to political parties based on proportional representation of their general seats won. |
| Total Seats | 342 |
Allocation of Reserved Seats
- Proportional Representation: The 60 seats reserved for women and 10 seats for religious minorities are filled through a system of proportional representation.
- Party-Based Allocation: These seats are distributed among political parties based on the number of general seats each party secures in the direct elections. Only parties that obtain more than 5% of the vote are eligible for these reserved seats. This mechanism aims to ensure that minority groups and women are adequately represented in the legislative process, even if they do not win direct elections in general constituencies.
Role and Significance of the National Assembly
The National Assembly is central to Pakistan's democratic governance. Its key functions include:
- Legislation: Debating and passing laws on various national issues.
- Budgetary Control: Approving the national budget and overseeing government expenditures.
- Oversight: Holding the executive branch accountable through questions, debates, and committees.
- Electoral Functions: Electing the Prime Minister and the President (jointly with the Senate).
Understanding the composition of the National Assembly is crucial for comprehending Pakistan's political landscape and its commitment to inclusive governance. More information can be found on the official website of the National Assembly of Pakistan.
