Senate makes history in 20th session

Islamabad

The Senate made a landmark decision during its last session to re-set the counting of its sessions from the day it met for the first time. And it was during the 20th session when a new parliamentary tradition was also incorporated by introduction of mace.

This, needless to say, is in continuation of several key decisions made and steps taken since last year to make the role and status of the Senate, as it should be and should have been in a federation. Consequent to these developments, the Senate is today vibrant, more productive and assertive and above all, the government takes it more seriously.

In the international parliamentary parlance, the mace is one of the most important symbols that is and has been part of parliamentary traditions. It is a massive scepter, heavy and ornate, which is kept in the custody of the sergeant-at-arms.

It symbolises the authority of the House, which is to be used through the chairman/ the speaker and in case of the Senate, it not only reflects the authority of the House, but also the constitutional scheme that the upper house i.e. the house of the Federation, represents all federating units.

Since the Senate of Pakistan came into being in 1973, where after, many constitutional aberrations took place, therefore, this parliamentary tradition could not be adopted. In view of a relatively much stable democratic system in Pakistan, it has been though that such like parliamentary traditions that are rich in history and shall be adopted by the House of the Federation.

The mace of the Senate of Pakistan has all elements of the Senate emblem i.e. the symbols of federating units, which are linked with the Senate emblem on the top, showing that this House represents the federating units.

After the approval of the House Business Advisory Committee, this parliamentary tradition was introduced in the Senate of Pakistan, from the eventful sitting of the Senate on April 20, 2016. At each sitting of the House, the sergeant, carrying the mace on his right shoulder, precedes the chairman to the chamber.

When the chairman takes the chair, the mace is gently on the table of the House. If the entire House goes into committee, the mace is removed by the sergeant and place on two brackets under the table.

It is returned to the table only when the chairman resumes his chair. Finally, when the chairman leaves the chamber, in cases of adjournment, the sergeant again precedes him, bearing the mace ceremoniously on his shoulder.