THE latest Citizens’ Report by Pildat on the performance of the Senate of Pakistan is a sobering account of parliamentary dysfunction during the 2024-25 legislative year. While the upper house met its constitutional requirement by holding 65 sittings and in that time passing 51 bills, the report reveals troubling signs of procedural decay, declining productivity, and executive overreach. The executive’s growing reliance on ordinances stands out as the most disturbing trend. Sixteen ordinances were laid before the Senate — a 1,500pc increase from the previous year — effectively bypassing debate and oversight. These were introduced even as private members’ legislative output declined by 63.8pc, a clear indicator of shrinking space for independent or opposition voices. Meanwhile, the passage of the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment — marred by reports of coerced absences and disputed votes — further eroded confidence in the chamber’s integrity. Operationally, while the Senate increased its sittings, total working hours fell by over 20pc, making 2024-25 the least productive year in six years. Quorum issues persisted, with 16 sittings adjourned due to low attendance. The Leader of the House, Senator Ishaq Dar, attended just 28pc of sessions, the lowest in recent history. In contrast, the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Shibli Faraz, recorded 80pc attendance and emerged as the most vocal senator. Financial accountability also faltered. The Senate’s total budget rose by 43.3pc to over Rs7bn, with per-member expenditure climbing to Rs85.2m — a 68.5pc spike from the previous year.

A particularly alarming concern is the continued absence of representation for KP. Eleven Senate seats from the province remain vacant due to a standoff between the PTI-led provincial government and federal authorities over oath-taking on reserved seats. The Election Commission’s allocation of these seats to opposition parties was rejected by the KP government, which refused to administer oaths, resulting in indefinite delays to the elections. To restore credibility, Pildat has urged reforms on multiple fronts: reducing the use of ordinances, ensuring timely filling of vacant seats, improving attendance of key officeholders, enforcing quorum rules, and strengthening the role of Senate committees in legislative oversight. What is at stake is more than legislative efficiency; it is the health of the democratic process itself. If these recommendations are ignored, the Senate risks sliding into irrelevance.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2025