Islamabad: Money Bills passed by the National Assembly will now require certification by the Speaker before receiving presidential assent, as outlined in a recent press release. The Speaker's certification serves as a final determination that a bill is indeed a Money Bill, a classification that exempts it from requiring Senate approval. Once certified, the Money Bill is sent to the Senate for recommendations, which must be provided within 90 days, but the Senate cannot amend or veto the bill.

According to Free and Fair Election Network, the certification by the Speaker is crucial because it officially declares that the bill does not need the Senate's consent, allowing it to be directly presented to the President for assent. This process aligns with constitutional provisions aimed at ensuring that the budget passed by the directly elected National Assembly is not hindered by the indirectly elected Senate.

The classification of a bill as a Money Bill has implications for citizens as well, as it limits the Senate's ability to scrutinize and amend the legislation. This classification allows such bills to bypass the full bicameral legislative process, which can impact the level of legislative oversight and debate.

The procedures of the National Assembly are dictated by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007, which have been amended 21 times since their introduction, with the most recent amendment occurring on 22 October 2024.