The
National Assembly has a total membership of 342. The National Assembly of
Pakistan is the country’s sovereign legislative body. It embodies the will of
the people to let themselves be governed under a democratic and parliamentary
system. The National Assembly makes laws for the federation in respect of the
powers enumerated in the Federal Legislative List and for subjects given in the
Concurrent List. Through its debates, adjournment motions, question hours and
standing committees, the National Assembly keeps a check over the Executive and
ensures that the government functions within the parameters set out in the
Constitution and does not violate the fundamental rights of citizens. The
Speaker is the highest office of the National Assembly of Pakistan. He presides
over the chamber composed of the people’s representative elected on the basis of
universal franchise.