INTRODUCTION
The Constitution of 1973 is federal in nature, therefore, a constitutional division of power between the central government and the provincial governments. The Provincial Assembly of Sindh has provincial autonomy and consists of a unicameral legislature, which means consisting of a single chamber. Members are elected for a term of five years, unless the assembly is dissolved sooner.
Role of the Assembly
The main functions of the Sindh Provincial Assembly are described below:
To make laws
This function is naturally subject to certain limitations including:
- The Provincial Assembly cannot legislate when an emergency is declared in the country.
- The Provincial Assembly cannot make laws which are against the fundamental rights of the citizens of the country.
- Principles of policy or rule of law should be the basis for each law.
- A law cannot be enacted unless it is in conformity with the injunctions of Islam.
- The Provincial Assembly cannot legislate on matters which do not fall within its purview, although it can legislate on matters listed in the Concurrent Legislative List. However where parliament makes a law in the Concurrent Legislative List, and the Provincial Assembly also legislates on it, the Provincial law will be void to the extent of the repugnancy with the Federal law.
- Residuary List: The Provincial Assembly has exclusive powers to make laws with respect to any matter not specified either in the Federal Legislative List or in the Concurrent Legislative List. This list is called the Residuary List. Residuary matters are exclusively within provincial autonomy. It is important to note that one institution cannot take over powers of the other institution.
Manager of the purse of the nation
Expenditure can only take place from the Provincial Consolidated Fund if it is authorized by the Provincial Assembly. The Provincial Assembly exercises checks over the executive through control over the Finance.
Approval of Budgets
The Provincial Assembly has the power to approve or refuse any demand in the budget and to reduce the amount specified in the demand. Once the budget is approved, the Government does not have the right to deviate from these sanctions. For excess expenditure the Government has to seek regularization from the Assembly. Audit reports of the Auditor General in respect of Sindh province are further scrutinized by the Public Accounts Committee of the Assembly.
Note that the Provincial Assembly is also a representative institution of the voice of the public and keeps checks upon policies, practices and performance of the Government acting as an oversight body. And the Cabinet is collectively responsible before the Assembly.
Members of the Assembly
1. Qualification and disqualification of members:
Disqualification can take place on grounds of defection, and was added in the Constitution in 1997.
2. Privileges of members:
Members of the Provincial Assembly are free to voice their opinions. No member can be held accountable for any view expressed or any statement made during Assembly proceedings in any court of law.
Executive Summary of 15th Assembly (13th August 2018 to 11th August 2023)
General Election was held on July 25, 2018 for 130 General seats.
29 seats are reserved for Women and 09 seats reserved for minorities in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh.
First session of the 15th Provincial Assembly of Sindh was held on 13th August, 2018.
Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the Provincial Assembly of Sindh was held on August 15, 2018. Mr. Agha Siraj Khan Durrani was elected as the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh (2nd time) and Ms. Rehana Laghari was elected as Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh.
On 16th August, 2018 Syed Murad Ali Shah was elected as Chief Minister Sindh.
On request of (58) Members of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh belonging to Opposition Benches, Honourable Speaker, Provincial Assembly of Sindh, in accordance of the provisions of sub-rule (3) of Rule 25 of Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, declared SYED FIRDOUS SHAMIM NAQVI, MPA as Leader of Opposition, Provincial Assembly of Sindh on 17th September, 2018.
After resignation of Syed Firdous Shamim Naqvi as Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Speaker and on request of 59 MPAs declare MR. HALEEM ADIL SHEIKH, MPA as Leader of Opposition, Provincial Assembly of Sindh w.e.f. 25th January, 2021.
On request of (39) Members of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh belonging to Opposition Benches amongst them (09) Members belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), (20) Members belonging to Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQMP) and (10) Members belonging to Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) to declare MS. RANA ANSAR, MPA as Leader of Opposition, Provincial Assembly of Sindh VICE Mr. Haleem Adil Sheikh, MPA has lost the confidence of majority of the Opposition.
The Honourable Speaker, Provincial Assembly of Sindh, in accordance of the provisions of Rule 26(4) of Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, has been pleased to declare MS. RANA ANSAR, MPA as Leader of Opposition, Provincial Assembly of Sindh with effect from 26th July, 2023.
As advised by the Chief Minister Sindh and in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under clause (1) of Article-112 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and other provisions, MUHAMMAD KAMRAN KHAN TESSORI, Governor of Sindh, hereby dissolve the Provincial Assembly of Sindh on 11th day of August, 2023 at 9:00 p.m.
Secretariat Sections/Branches
1. Legislation Br.
2. Question Br.
3. Proceeding Br.
4. Publication Br.
5. Protocol Br.
6. Administration Br.
7. Reporting Br.
8. Information Technology/Automation
9. Translation Br.
10. Estate Office/CTC
11. Litigation br.
12. Standing Committees
13. Public Account Committee
14. Research Br.
15. Recording Br.
16. Assurance Br.
17. Security Br.
18. Media Cell
19. Inter-Parliamentary Relation Br.
20. Budget & Accounts Br.
21. Receiving & Issuance Br.
22. Visitors Management System
23. Library