July 29, 2026: The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), in its analysis of the Senate of Pakistan’s performance during 2025–2026, has noted a rise in legislative output alongside continuing institutional weaknesses, including declining attendance, delayed representation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and concerns over the pace and depth of constitutional amendments.
According to PILDAT, the quality of legislative deliberation continued to affect the institutional effectiveness of the Senate.
During 2025–2026, the Senate passed a total of 97 bills, including 47 government bills and 50 private members’ bills. This marked a significant increase in legislative activity compared to the previous year, when 51 bills were passed. Private members’ legislation recorded a strong recovery, while government bills also showed an upward trend.
The number of ordinances laid during the year fell to six, compared with 16 in 2024–2025.
The Senate held 64 sittings during the year, slightly fewer than the 65 sittings held in the previous year. However, working hours increased to approximately 159 hours from 117 hours last year, indicating longer sittings and intensified legislative activity.
PILDAT’s analysis showed a decline in attendance, with average attendance falling to 57.6 per cent from 62 per cent in the previous year. However, the overall number of disruptions caused by lack of quorum declined during the year.
The Leader of the House recorded 31 per cent attendance. The office of the Leader of the Opposition remained vacant for five months and 15 days after the removal of Senator Shibli Faraz on August 5, 2025, until Senator Raja Nasir Abbas assumed office on January 20, 2026.
Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights from Punjab, belonging to the PML-N, emerged as the most vocal senator, with recorded talk time of 10 hours and 40 minutes. He was followed by Senator Aimal Wali Khan of the ANP from Balochistan, who spoke for nine hours and 51 minutes. Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Leader of the House from Islamabad Capital Territory and the PML-N, spoke for six hours and 41 minutes.
A defining feature of the year was the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which introduced major changes in judicial structure and military command arrangements. The amendment was passed through an accelerated process within 24 hours, raising concerns regarding parliamentary scrutiny and deliberative depth.
The report also highlighted a major institutional gap, noting that 11 Senate seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained vacant for approximately 23 months, from February 2024 to January 2026, due to electoral delays and legal disputes. PILDAT said this affected federal representation and the composition of the Senate.
The resignation of opposition members from Senate standing committees in September 2025 highlighted weakened parliamentary oversight and reduced bipartisan engagement.
In terms of expenditure, the Senate budget increased from Rs7,242 million in 2024–2025 to Rs9,055 million in 2025–2026, reflecting a rise of approximately 25 per cent. Per-member allocation also increased from Rs85.2 million to Rs90.55 million.
