How Many Seats Are in the National Assembly of Pakistan? (336 Explained)
The most-asked question about Pakistan’s legislature has a precise answer: 336. But the interesting part is how those 336 break down — and why the number matters for forming governments and amending the Constitution.
Quick answer: The National Assembly of Pakistan has 336 seats — 266 general seats elected directly, 60 reserved for women and 10 for non-Muslim minorities. 169 seats make a simple majority; 224 make two-thirds.
The 336-Seat Breakdown
| Seat type | Number | How filled |
|---|---|---|
| General | 266 | Direct election, first-past-the-post |
| Women (reserved) | 60 | Proportional representation |
| Minorities (reserved) | 10 | Proportional representation |
| Total | 336 |
The 266 General Seats
Pakistan is divided into 266 National Assembly constituencies (NA-1 to NA-266), drawn by the Election Commission after each census through delimitation. Each elects one MNA by first-past-the-post: whoever gets the most votes wins, no run-off. Punjab holds the most constituencies (141), followed by Sindh (61), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (45), Balochistan (16) and Islamabad (3).
The 70 Reserved Seats
The 60 women and 10 minority seats are not contested directly. Instead, each party submits a priority list, and seats are allocated in proportion to the general seats the party won. This is why the reserved-seat allocation after the 2024 election became a major legal battle — parties that won no general seats got no reserved seats, and the Supreme Court’s reserved seats case reshaped the final tally.
Majority Maths
- Simple majority: 169 — the minimum to elect a Prime Minister and pass ordinary legislation. The PML-N-led coalition governs with roughly 243.
- Two-thirds majority: 224 — required for constitutional amendments, which is why amendments need broad consensus.
- Term: 5 years — the 16th Assembly (elected 8 February 2024) runs to February 2029 unless dissolved earlier.
See the complete National Assembly guide, how Parliament works and the current party position.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seats are in the National Assembly of Pakistan?
336 seats: 266 general seats elected directly, 60 reserved for women and 10 reserved for non-Muslim minorities.
How many general seats are in the National Assembly?
266 general seats, contested in constituencies NA-1 to NA-266 on a first-past-the-post vote. Punjab has the most (141).
How many seats are needed for a majority in the National Assembly?
169 seats for a simple majority (to form a government and pass ordinary laws); 224 seats — two-thirds — for constitutional amendments.
