Senate of Pakistan

The Senate of Pakistan, constitutionally the House of the Federation and commonly the Upper House, is the upper chamber of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan, with the National Assembly being the lower chamber. It functions as the institutional representative of the Pakistani federating units at the national level. With a maximum membership of 96, provincial legislatures elect 23 each, using single transferable vote; with four representing the federal capital. Members, referred to as 'senators', sit for six year-terms, with half of the house up for election every three years. Unlike the National Assembly, the Senate is a continuing chamber and hence not subject to dissolution.

First convened in 1973, the Senate's composition and powers are established by the Article 59 of the Constitution of Pakistan. Each of the four provinces is represented by 23 senators regardless of population, while the Islamabad Capital Territory is represented by four senators, all of whom serve staggered six-year terms. The Senate secretariat is located in the east wing of the Parliament Building; the National Assembly convenes in the west wing of the same building.

The Senate has several exclusive powers not granted to the National Assembly, including the powers of making parliamentary bills as a being enforced into law. Elections are held every three years for one half of the Senate and each Senator has a term of six years. The Constitution does not allow for the dissolution of the Senate.