Article 66: Privileges of members, etc. Procedure Generally

(1) Subject to the Constitution and to the rules of procedure of [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)], there shall be freedom of speech in [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] and no member shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)], and no person shall be so liable in respect of the publication by or under the authority of [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] of any report, paper, votes or proceedings. (2) In other respects, the powers, immunities and privileges of [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)], and the immunities and privileges of the members of [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)], shall be such as may from time to time be defined by law and, until so defined, shall be such as were, immediately before the commencing day, enjoyed by the National Assembly of Pakistan and the committees thereof and its members. (3) Provision may be made by law for the punishment, by a House, of persons who refuse to give evidence or produce documents before a committee of the House when duly required by the chairman of the committee so to do: Provided that any such law– (a) may empower a court to punish a person who refuses to give evidence or produce documents; and (b) shall have effect subject to such Order for safeguarding confidential matters from disclosure as may be made by the President. (4) The provisions of this Article shall apply to persons who have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of, [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] as they apply to members. (5) In this Article, [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] means either House or a joint sitting, or a committee thereof. Procedure Generally

Effective date: 1973-08-14

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