Lawmaker questions parliament’s ranking in warrant of precedence

ISLAMABAD: Anusha Rahman, a treasury lawmaker, raised concerns over the ranking of members of parliament in the Warrant of Precedence, questioning why they are placed at No16, sharing the same rank as an inspector general of police. She also sought clarity on who prepared the ranking and the reasoning behind it.

During the question hour on Tuesday, Anusha Rehman read out the various official positions, which come ahead of the parliamentarians, including the chief election commissioner, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, SBP governor, Council of Islamic Ideology chairman and FPSC chairman. She also asked to who decided to place the parliamentarians at No16 in the Warrant of Precedence and if that involved any consultations with any parliamentary forum. Anusha urged Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to refer the issue to the House Committee of the Whole or the House committee on Cabinet Division for deliberations and report.

Leader of Opposition Syed Shibli Faraz contended that respect and dignity are earned, it cannot be achieved by placement at No1 or 2. He said it is true the precedence was issued in 1963, but in 2025, a discussion was held on the constitutional amendment involving the Warrant, but even the minutes of the meeting were not recorded. Law and Justice Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the warrant and pointed out that it were the parliamentarians who elect the president and prime minister, who come at No1 and No2 in the Warrant of Precedence and they appoint ministers and governors. The minister said the precedence was about a procedure and rules with regards to various official functions and the reception of the heads of state, etc. He also argued that how could around 450 parliamentarians be adjusted in one seat.

Tarar advised against rendering the issue into a political discussion and proposed that the Chairman Senate and Speaker NA, may call the Secretary Cabinet Division to review the Warrant of Precedence. Tarar explained that the Warrant of Precedence notified in 1963, was revised in 2008, 2016, and in 2021 and it was agreed to keep it as such.

According to the written reply, the subject Warrant of Precedence was transferred from the Interior Division to the Cabinet Division in August, 2021 after an amendment in the Rules of Business, 1973. The chairman of the Senate said, “We have inherited the parliamentary form of government from the Westminster System. We follow that.” However, former Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek proposed that a committee, consisting of Chairman Senate, NA Speaker, Law Minister and Anusha Rahman may take it up keeping in view the legal and parliamentary aspects as well as supremacy of parliament and Chairman Gilani agreed to it.