Sindh Assembly

Overview of the Sindh Provincial Assembly

1. Composition of the Sindh Assembly

The Sindh Provincial Assembly is a unicameral legislature, meaning it consists of a single house. It is made up of 168 members, who are directly elected by the people of Sindh through general elections. The members of the Sindh Assembly serve a five-year term, unless the assembly is dissolved earlier.

Breakdown of Seats:

• General Seats: 130 seats are allocated for directly elected male and female members from constituencies across Sindh.
• Reserved Seats for Women: 29 seats are reserved for women, allocated based on the proportion of general seats won by political parties.
• Reserved Seats for Non-Muslims: 9 seats are reserved for non-Muslim communities, allocated to political parties in proportion to their general seats.

The Sindh Assembly is the legislative authority for all matters listed under the Provincial Legislative List of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Pakistan.

2. Leadership and Hierarchy

The Sindh Assembly follows a structured leadership system to manage its legislative functions effectively:

• Speaker: The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Sindh Assembly. The Speaker is elected by the members of the assembly and is responsible for maintaining order during debates, ensuring the smooth conduct of sessions, and interpreting assembly rules. The Speaker is impartial and does not participate in voting except in the case of a tie.
• Deputy Speaker: The Deputy Speaker assists the Speaker and takes over the Speaker’s duties in their absence. The Deputy Speaker also plays an active role in parliamentary affairs.
• Chief Minister (CM): The Chief Minister is the head of the provincial government in Sindh, elected by the members of the Sindh Assembly. The CM is responsible for implementing laws, overseeing government policies, and managing the provincial executive. The Chief Minister usually leads the party or coalition with the majority of seats in the assembly.
• Leader of the Opposition: The Leader of the Opposition is the head of the largest political party or alliance not in government. This person holds the government accountable by questioning its policies and proposing alternative measures.
• Provincial Cabinet: The Chief Minister appoints members of the provincial cabinet who are responsible for leading various ministries, such as health, education, finance, law, and local government.
• Secretary of the Assembly: The Secretary oversees administrative and procedural tasks, ensuring that the assembly’s operations run efficiently. The Secretary’s office supports the Speaker and the members in their duties.

3. Duties and Responsibilities

The Sindh Assembly holds a wide array of duties and responsibilities:

• Legislation: The primary function of the Sindh Assembly is to pass laws on matters within the provincial domain, including education, health, transport, local government, and criminal law. These laws are introduced, debated, and passed through a formal legislative process.
• Approval of the Provincial Budget: The Sindh Assembly plays a key role in approving the provincial budget, which details the allocation of funds for various sectors, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
• Oversight of the Provincial Government: The Sindh Assembly holds the provincial government accountable by questioning ministers, raising concerns, and debating issues of public interest. This oversight ensures transparency and good governance.
• Constitutional and Legal Amendments: The Sindh Assembly has the authority to amend provincial laws and introduce new legislation to improve governance and address the needs of the province.
• Electoral Functions: The Sindh Assembly elects the Chief Minister and other key positions, such as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The assembly also plays a role in the electoral process for certain constitutional offices.
• Public Representation: Members of the Sindh Assembly represent the interests of their constituents and advocate for local issues. The assembly provides a platform for public participation through debates, motions, and resolutions.

4. Legislative Process

The legislative process in the Sindh Assembly involves several stages:

1. Introduction of Bills: A bill can be introduced by any member of the assembly, the provincial government, or through private member’s initiative. The bill is presented for its first reading.
2. Second Reading and Debate: After the first reading, the general principles and purpose of the bill are debated by the members. The assembly discusses the need for such legislation and potential amendments.
3. Committee Review: Bills are referred to relevant standing committees for detailed examination. These committees scrutinize bills, hold hearings, and suggest amendments before the bill is presented again for the third reading.
4. Third Reading and Voting: After the committee’s review, the bill returns for a third reading, where members can propose further amendments. Once debated, the bill is put to a vote.
5. Approval and Assent: If the bill is passed by the assembly, it is sent to the Governor of Sindh for formal assent. Once assented, the bill becomes law.

5. Infrastructure of the Sindh Assembly

The Sindh Provincial Assembly is based in Karachi, the capital city of Sindh. The assembly’s infrastructure is designed to facilitate the legislative process and provide adequate resources for the members.

• Assembly Hall: The central chamber where the legislative sessions take place. The hall is designed to accommodate all 168 members of the assembly.
• Committee Rooms: Dedicated rooms for various committees where in-depth discussions and debates take place.
• Library and Research Facilities: The Sindh Assembly houses a library that provides research materials, records, and information to support the work of the members.
• Administrative Offices: The assembly has offices that handle legislative administration, including procedural tasks, records management, and communication.

6. Official Website & Online Resources

The Sindh Provincial Assembly maintains an official website that provides essential resources to the public and members:

• Official Website: http://www.pas.gov.pk/

The website offers:

• Session Information: Details on upcoming and past sessions, including bills, motions, and resolutions.
• Bills and Legislation: Access to the bills introduced in the assembly, their status, and details of passed laws.
• Member Information: Profiles of current MPAs, including their party affiliations, constituencies, and contact information.
• Public Participation: Information on how citizens can engage with the assembly and participate in the legislative process.

7. Contact Information

For inquiries, official matters, or communication, the Sindh Provincial Assembly can be reached at the following contact points:

• Phone: Tel: (021) 9212000 Fax: (021) 9212033
• Email: contact@pas.gov.pk

8. List of Current Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs)

The list of current members of the Sindh Assembly is available in the official directory. This list includes names, constituencies, political party affiliations, and contact information of all 168 members.

• MPA List PDF: Download the full list of MPAs here

This list is regularly updated to reflect any changes in membership or party affiliation.

9. Conclusion

The Sindh Provincial Assembly is an essential component of Pakistan’s democratic system, providing a platform for lawmaking, government accountability, and public representation. Through its legislative, financial, and oversight functions, the Sindh Assembly plays a vital role in ensuring effective governance in the province.

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Additional Resources for Sindh Assembly

• MPA Contact List PDF: Download (Click on the Name for complete profile of the Politician)