Session 9- Pakistan's Bicameral System

Pakistan has a bicameral system constituting of the  National Assembly, Senate and the provincial assemblies. The Senate is the upper house, whereas the national assembly is the lower house respectively. It is a functional democratic system which makes sure the executives and the legislators work together and there is a balance of power.

 Although on paper Pakistan has a parliamentary system, where power mainly resigns with the Prime Minister; in Pakistan the presidential system is in working most of the time. For instance, when Musharaf came into power in 1999 via a military coup he remained Chief of the Army Staff but in 2001 he also declared himself president. During Zia-ul-Haq's time, the 8th amendment was passed, which gave the president additional powers including ability to dissolve the national assembly, and this certainly increases  the power of the president.

In the presidential system the president is chosen by the public, one man one vote policy. However, as we follow the parliamentary system the Prime Minister of Pakistan is elected by the National Assembly. The president is elected by the Electoral college, which consists of both houses of Parliament together with the provincial assemblies. With this overlap in hierarchal boundaries,  Pakistan ends up having a nonstandard system. Additionally, the strong party system and personal loyalties also make this system unable to effectively run because National Assembly members vote for party alleged candidates rather than making unbiased decisions for national issues.

For instance, in 2008 when PPP won the elections they made Asif Ali Zardari the President as he was the chairman of PPP and it was only fair if he also took up the most powerful position in the government as well. Our government officials care more about what they gain get out of their years in office than about the well being of the people. If they have a president who would make decisions in their personal favor than why not vote for him/her.