Legislative Drafting
Learn the art of legislation.
Learn how to formulate bills, propose amendments and develop solutions to public problems.
Public Parliament of Pakistan
A BILL
Specimen
Anatomy of a Bill
Seven parts, one law
A specimen bill set out in the form used in Pakistan. Select a number to bring that part into focus.
A BILLto provide for civic education in secondary schools
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the teaching of civic education in secondary schools and for matters connected therewith;It is hereby enacted as follows:—
1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Civic Education Act, 2026. (2) It extends to the Islamabad Capital Territory. (3) It shall come into force at once.
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, “civic education” means instruction in the Constitution, the working of Parliament and the rights and duties of citizens.
3. Civic education in schools.—(1) Every secondary school shall provide instruction in civic education. (2) The curriculum shall include the Constitution, the working of Parliament and the rights and duties of citizens.
4. Power to make rules.—The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
Statement of Objects and Reasons
Citizens who understand how laws are made are better able to take part in making them. This Bill seeks to make civic education part of every secondary school.
Member-in-charge
Part 1 of 7
Long title
States the subject and purpose of the whole Bill in a single line.
Proposing Amendments
Changing a law, word by word
Watch a clause of the specimen bill being amended, and read the notice that would be moved in the House.
Clause 3, sub-clause (1)
Every secondary school may shall provide instruction in civic education where resources permit.
Notice of amendment
That in clause 3, in sub-clause (1),—
- (i) for the word “may” the word “shall” be substituted; and
- (ii) the words “where resources permit” be omitted.
Amendments are written as precise instructions to the text: what to substitute, what to insert and what to omit. The effect here is to turn an optional duty into a firm one.
The Drafting Desk
From a public problem to a bill
Every bill begins with a problem worth solving. Choose one and see how it takes the shape of a law.
Choose a public problem
The problem
Young citizens leave school without knowing how Parliament works.
The objective
Make civic education part of every secondary school.
The key clauses
- 1.A duty on every secondary school to teach civic education
- 2.A curriculum covering the Constitution, Parliament and citizens' rights and duties
- 3.Training for the teachers who deliver the subject
The long title
A Bill to provide for civic education in secondary schools
Principles of Good Drafting
Four tests for every clause
A well-drafted law is one that citizens, courts and officials all read the same way.
قانون سازی کا تجربہ — بلز تیار کریں، بحث کریں اور مسائل کا حل پیش کریں
Part of Pillar III · LegislateClarity
Plain words that every citizen can understand.
Precision
Each provision says exactly what it means, and no more.
Consistency
The same word keeps the same meaning throughout.
Constitutionality
Every bill must sit within the Constitution and the legislature's competence.
Draft, debate and propose solutions
Become a member, draft your own bill and take it to the floor of the model National Assembly and Senate.