ISLAMABAD:
As 2024 draws to a close, the year brought sweeping changes to the Senate as elections ushered in new leadership, new faces, and a legislative agenda that promised much but also faced major obstacles.
The upper house of parliament became a crucible for legislative debate and political drama, shaping the country’s political landscape while undergoing its fair share of turbulence.
With new faces entering the parliamentary race, the Senate played a key role in shaping the legislative landscape.
Since the Senate’s parliamentary year traditionally ends on March 11, the year 2024 marked a major change as elections brought in new members and redefined the chamber’s leadership.
Yousuf Raza Gilani of the PPP, an experienced political heavyweight of the PPP, secured the Senate presidency, while the vice-presidency went to Syedaal Khan Nasar of the PML-N from Balochistan.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as deputy prime minister, took over the leadership of the house, while PTI senator Shibli Faraz was given the reins of the opposition.
The new blood included figures like Aimal Wali Khan, Raja Nasir Abbas, Ahsan Cheema, Sarmad, Nasir Butt and Bushra Anjum Butt, setting the stage for a new generation of lawmakers to make their mark.
During the parliamentary year, the Senate saw the introduction of 52 private members’ bills and passed 40 of them. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa representation remained conspicuously absent, with the government attributing this to the previous PTI-led provincial administration.
According to Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, the most important legislative achievement was the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which passed the Senate.
Other key bills included the Madrasah Registration Bill, the National Forensic Agency Bill 2024 and amendments to the Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy Acts, among others. The government successfully passed 45 bills and 10 resolutions addressing various issues were also adopted.
Senator Shibli Faraz, leader of the opposition, criticized the legislative priorities, saying that “no law of public interest has been enacted this year.”
PTI senator Ejaz Chaudhary was notably sidelined and no production orders were issued to him for the entire year.
A heated altercation between Senator Falak Naz Chitrali and Senator Faisal Vawda resulted in Chitrali’s three-day suspension by President Gilani.
The arrest of former senator Mushtaq Ahmed also sparked outrage among sitting senators, while JUI-F emerged as a key player in the legislative negotiations, effectively leveraging its five-member presence.
Internal responsibility
Yusuf Raza Gilani launched an investigation into irregular appointments during the government of former President Sadiq Sanjrani, which involved 502 illegal recruitments and 250 deputation placements. However, the investigation was mysteriously shelved.
Minority senators like Dinesh Kumar were particularly active in defending their communities.
