The Role of Technology in Enhancing Legislative Efficiency in Pakistan
About the National Assembly of Pakistan. Written on September, 2021
Introduction
The use of technology in legislative procedures has become increasingly important in the modern era, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this essay is to examine the role of technology in enhancing legislative efficiency in Pakistan, with a focus on the procedural aspects of legislation and how technology can be incorporated to improve the legislative process. This essay will provide a detailed overview of the legislative system in Pakistan, the different types of legislation, and the impact of technology on the number of bills passed and ordinances enacted during the pandemic.
Legislative System in Pakistan
Pakistan's supreme legislative body, the Parliament, is comprised of two houses: the Senate (upper house) and the National Assembly (lower house). All legislative proposals, including financial bills, can be initiated in the National Assembly, while the Senate has limited jurisdiction over financial matters. The legislative process involves several stages, such as the introduction of a bill in either house, reference to the relevant standing committee, deliberations within the committee, and voting by both houses. If a bill is passed by both houses, it is referred to the President for assent; if not, it is referred to a joint sitting of the Parliament, whose decision is final.
Types of Legislation
Legislation in Pakistan can be categorized into two types based on its origination: government bills and private member bills. Government bills are introduced by the concerned ministry, while private member bills can be introduced by any member of the Parliament. The introduction of a government bill requires cabinet approval, while a private member bill requires a 10-day notice period. If the house grants leave for a bill to be introduced, it is referred to the relevant standing committee, where it undergoes further scrutiny and deliberation before being presented to the house for a final decision.
Impact of Technology on Legislative Efficiency
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of adopting technology in the legislative process. Prior to the pandemic, there was no concept of virtual meetings in the National Assembly of Pakistan. However, the number of virtual meetings increased significantly during the pandemic, from 43 in 2020 to 148 in 2021, demonstrating the adaptability and acclimatization of the Parliament to new technologies.
This adoption of technology has had a positive impact on legislative efficiency, as evidenced by the increasing number of bills passed during the pandemic. In 2019, 13 bills were passed, while in 2020 and 2021, the number increased to 34 and 51, respectively. The number of ordinances, temporary emergency legislation enacted by the President, also saw fluctuations, with four in 2019, 31 in 2020, and a decrease in 2021. The increasing number of bills passed during the pandemic can be attributed to the adoption of modern technology in the legislative process.
The National Assembly has also made strides in utilizing digital technology, with the establishment of an official website that provides information on the legislative process, members of the Parliament, committee meetings, and other related matters. This has increased transparency and accessibility to the legislative process for the general public.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the incorporation of technology into the legislative process in Pakistan has had a significant impact on legislative efficiency, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increasing number of bills passed and the growing use of virtual meetings demonstrate the adaptability of the Parliament to new technologies. If the National Assembly continues to embrace technology, particularly in the form of virtual sessions, it is likely that legislative efficiency will continue to improve, ultimately benefiting the people of Pakistan.