Provincial Assembly of the Punjab
The Provincial Assembly of the Punjab is a key legislative body in Pakistan, specifically for the Punjab province, which is the most populous province in the country. Established under Article 106 of the Constitution of Pakistan, it operates as a unicameral legislature and is located in Lahore, the provincial capital.
Leadership
Here’s the updated information on the leadership of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab:
- Speaker: Malik Ahmad Khan, PML(N) (since 24 February 2024)
- Deputy Speaker: Zaheer Iqbal Channar, PML(N) (since 24 February 2024)
- Leader of the House: Maryam Nawaz Sharif, PML(N) (since 26 February 2024)
- Leader of the Opposition: Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, PTI
Structure and Composition
The Provincial Assembly of Punjab consists of 371 members:
- 297 general seats are filled through direct elections from various constituencies across the province.
- 66 seats are reserved for women, ensuring female representation in the legislative process.
- 8 seats are reserved for non-Muslims, reflecting the province’s diverse demographic.
Membership Qualifications
To be eligible for membership in the Provincial Assembly, candidates must meet specific criteria outlined in Article 113 of the Constitution:
- Must be a citizen of Pakistan.
- Must be at least 25 years old and enrolled as a voter in any electoral roll.
- Must possess good character and be knowledgeable about Islamic teachings.
- Must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude or have worked against the integrity of Pakistan after its establishment.
These qualifications ensure that members are not only representative of the populace but also uphold the moral and ethical standards expected in governance.
Legislative Role and Responsibilities
The Provincial Assembly is responsible for:
- Legislation: It has the authority to create laws on various provincial matters, including education, health, and infrastructure.
- Budget Approval: The Assembly reviews and approves the provincial budget, which outlines government spending and revenue generation.
- Oversight: It monitors the provincial government’s functioning, ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
Historical Context
The Provincial Assembly of Punjab has a rich history, having undergone several transformations since its inception. The first assembly was formed in 1947, shortly after Pakistan’s independence, and the assembly has since seen various political changes and challenges.
Current Assembly Dynamics
The current assembly reflects a diverse political landscape, with members from multiple political parties representing different constituencies. The Speaker of the Assembly plays a crucial role in maintaining order during sessions and facilitating legislative processes.
List of Assemblies of Punjab
The Provincial Assembly of Punjab has a rich history, reflecting the political and administrative changes in the region since Pakistan’s independence.
Here is a detailed list of the assemblies, highlighting their terms and significant periods:
- 1st Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 1947–1949
- 2nd Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 1951–1955
- 3rd Provincial Assembly (West Pakistan): 1956
- 4th Provincial Assembly (West Pakistan): 1956–1958
- 5th Provincial Assembly (West Pakistan): 1962–1965
- 6th Provincial Assembly (West Pakistan): 1965–1969
- 7th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 1972–1977
- 8th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 1977
- 9th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 1985–1988
- 10th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 1988–1990
- 11th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 1990–1993
- 12th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 1993–1996
- 13th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 1996–1999
- 14th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 2002–2007
- 15th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 2008–2013
- 16th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 2013–2018
- 17th Provincial Assembly of Punjab: 2018–2023
The Provincial Assembly exercises important functions such as approving the provincial budget, passing legislation, and holding the government accountable. It plays a crucial role in the governance of Punjab, which is the most populous province of Pakistan.
List of All Speakers of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab
The Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab has a long history that reflects the political and administrative changes in the province since Pakistan’s independence. The office was first established in 1947, shortly after the creation of Pakistan, and has evolved through various political phases, including periods of legislative reform and realignment.
Here is the detailed list of Speakers of Punjab:
| Montagu Sherard Dawes Butler | |
| Entered Office: 03-JAN-1921 Left Office: 21-MAR-1922 Tenure: 1 year, 2 months, 18 days Political Party: British Colonial Administration Notable: First Speaker, oversaw the initial establishment of the assembly, focusing on setting up the legislative procedures and ensuring smooth functioning of the newly formed assembly. |  |
| Herbert Alexander Casson | |
| Entered Office: 10-MAY-1922 Left Office: 16-JAN-1925 Tenure: 2 years, 8 months, 6 days Political Party: British Colonial Administration Notable: Guided the assembly through its early legislative processes, playing a crucial role in the stabilization and organization of the assembly’s administrative functions. | |
| Khan Bahadur Shahab-ud-Din Virk (First Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 03-DEC-1925 Left Office: 27-OCT-1926 Tenure: 10 months, 24 days Political Party: Unionist Party Notable: Focused on legislative stability and development during his initial term, establishing a strong foundation for future assemblies. |  |
| Khan Bahadur Shahab-ud-Din Virk (Second Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 04-JAN-1927 Left Office: 26-JUL-1930 Tenure: 3 years, 6 months, 22 days Political Party: Unionist Party Notable: Continued his efforts to balance different interests within the assembly, ensuring legislative continuity and effectiveness. |  |
| Khan Bahadur Shahab-ud-Din Virk (Third Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 25-OCT-1930 Left Office: 24-OCT-1936 Tenure: 6 years, 11 months, 30 days Political Party: Unionist Party Notable: Long-serving Speaker with a focus on legislative development and stability, contributing to the assembly’s overall growth and effectiveness. |  |
| Rao Bahadur Chhotu Ram | |
| Entered Office: 20-OCT-1936 Left Office: 10-NOV-1936 Tenure: 21 days Political Party: Unionist Party Notable: Brief tenure, notable for his contributions to rural reforms and advocating for farmers’ rights. |  |
| Khan Bahadur Shahab-ud-Din Virk (Fourth Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 06-APR-1937 Left Office: 19-MAR-1945 Tenure: 7 years, 11 months, 13 days Political Party: Unionist Party Notable: Oversaw significant legislative changes and developments, ensuring the continuity of his previous efforts and maintaining stability within the assembly. |  |
| Dewan Bahadur Singha | |
| Entered Office: 21-MAR-1946 Left Office: 04-JUL-1947 Tenure: 1 year, 3 months, 13 days Political Party: Unionist Party Notable: Served during the critical pre-independence period, playing a vital role in navigating the assembly through the political changes leading up to the partition. |  |
| Dr. Khalifa Shuja-ud-Din | |
| Entered Office: 07-MAY-1951 Left Office: 14-OCT-1955 Tenure: 4 years, 5 months, 7 days Political Party: Muslim League Notable: Guided the assembly during the early post-independence period, focusing on establishing the legislative framework of the newly formed country |  |
| Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry | |
| Entered Office: 20-MAY-1956 Left Office: 07-OCT-1958 Tenure: 2 years, 4 months, 17 days Political Party: Muslim League Notable: Later became the President of Pakistan, notable for legislative reforms and his efforts to strengthen the parliamentary system. |  |
| Khan Bahadur Sheikh Faiz Muhammad | |
| Entered Office: 06-DEC-1962 Left Office: 08-JUN-1965 Tenure: 2 years, 6 months, 2 days Political Party: Convention Muslim League Notable: Known for his role in strengthening the assembly’s legislative framework and promoting effective governance. |  |
| Mubin-ul-Haq Siddiqui | |
| Entered Office: 12-JUN-1962 Left Office: 04-JUL-1963 Tenure: 1 year, 22 days Political Party: Convention Muslim League Notable: Short tenure, focused on administrative reforms and ensuring the smooth operation of the assembly. |  |
| Ch. Muhammad Anwar Bhinder (First Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 16-JUL-1963 Left Office: 12-JUN-1965 Tenure: 1 year, 10 months, 27 days Political Party: Convention Muslim League Notable: Contributed to legislative and administrative reforms, strengthening the assembly’s operations. |  |
| Ch. Muhammad Anwar Bhinder (Second Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 12-JUN-1965 Left Office: 25-MAR-1969 Tenure: 3 years, 9 months, 13 days Political Party: Convention Muslim League Notable: Continued his efforts to modernize and improve the legislative process, ensuring effective governance. |  |
| Rafiq Ahmad Sheikh | |
| Entered Office: 03-MAY-1972 Left Office: 11-APR-1977 Tenure: 4 years, 11 months, 8 days Political Party: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Notable: Oversaw significant legislative changes during his tenure, focusing on social and economic reforms. | |
| Ch. Muhammad Anwar Bhinder (Third Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 11-APR-1977 Left Office: 11-APR-1977 Tenure: 1 day Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Notable: Brief second term, known for his previous contributions to legislative reforms and assembly stability. |  |
| Manzoor Wattoo (First Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 10-APR-1985 Left Office: 02-DEC-1988 Tenure: 3 years, 7 months, 22 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Notable: Known for his strategic political maneuvers and leadership during a period of significant political activity. |  |
| Manzoor Wattoo (Second Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 02-DEC-1988 Left Office: 07-NOV-1990 Tenure: 1 year, 11 months, 5 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Notable: Focused on maintaining stability and legislative continuity during his tenure. |  |
| Manzoor Wattoo (Third Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 07-NOV-1990 Left Office: 25-NOV-1993 Tenure: 3 years, 18 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Notable: Played a key role in navigating the assembly through challenging political times, contributing to significant legislative decisions. |  |
| Saeed Ahmed Khan | |
| Entered Office: 04-MAY-1993 Left Office: 19-OCT-1993 Tenure: 5 months, 15 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Notable: Short tenure, focused on legislative stability and administrative efficiency. |  |
| Hanif Ramay | |
| Entered Office: 19-OCT-1993 Left Office: 19-FEB-1997 Tenure: 3 years, 4 months Political Party: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Notable: Prominent political figure, known for his cultural and legislative contributions, as well as his efforts to promote democratic values. |  |
| Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi | |
| Entered Office: 19-FEB-1997 Left Office: 12-OCT-1999 Tenure: 2 years, 7 months, 23 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Notable: Later became the Chief Minister of Punjab, known for his administrative reforms and development initiatives. |  |
| Chaudhry Muhammad Afzal Sahi | |
| Entered Office: 2002 Left Office: 2007 Tenure: 5 years Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Notable: Focused on legislative and infrastructural development, known for his efforts to modernize the assembly. |  |
| Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan (First Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 2008 Left Office: 2013 Tenure: 5 years Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Notable: Focused on enhancing legislative efficiency and promoting transparency within the assembly. |  |
| Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan (Second Duration) | |
| Entered Office: 2013 Left Office: 2018 Tenure: 5 years Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Notable: Continued his efforts from the first term, emphasizing administrative reforms and effective governance. |  |
| Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi | |
| Entered Office: 16-AUG-2018 Left Office: 26-JUL-2022 Tenure: 3 years, 11 months, 10 days Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Notable: Returned for a second term, focused on legislative reforms and continuing his previous efforts to improve the assembly’s functionality. |  |
| Muhammad Sibtain Khan | |
| Entered Office: 29-JUL-2022 Left Office: 24-FEB-2024 Tenure: 1 year, 6 months, 26 days Political Party: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Notable: Known for modernizing legislative processes and introducing new technologies to improve the assembly’s efficiency. |  |
| Malik Ahmad Khan | |
| Entered Office: 24-FEB-2024 Left Office: Present Tenure: Ongoing Political Party: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Notable: Current Speaker, focusing on progressive policies and legislative efficiency, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability within the assembly. |  |
The Provincial Assembly of the Punjab serves as a vital institution in Pakistan’s democratic framework, providing a platform for representation and governance for the province’s large and diverse population. Its legislative authority and responsibilities are essential for addressing the needs and aspirations of the people of Punjab.