Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar has fixed January 3 for the draw of lots to decide a list of half of Senate members who will retire before March 13.
By drawing lots members elected to the Senate from the Federal Capital, the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) and all the four provinces will be divided into two groups, one retiring after three-year term and the other completing six-year term.
The procedure is mandated under clause (3) of Article 59 of the Constitution.
The Chief Election Commissioner will draw the lots in the Parliament House, Islamabad, at 10.00 in the morning on January 3, said an Election Commission statement.
Half of the members of the Senate will retire after completion of three-year terms before March 13 as a result of the drawing of lots, it said.
Out of fifty seats falling vacant 33 would be general seats, nine reserved for Ulema/Technocrats and 8 reserved for women.
From each of the four provinces of the Punjab, Sindh, North West Frontier Province and Balochistan 11 seats will fall vacant including seven general seats, two seats reserved for Ulema/Technocrats and two seats reserved for women.
From Fata four general seats will fall vacant while from the Federal Capital two seats - one general and one reserved for Ulema/Technocrats - will become vacant.
The Election Commission has asked the Secretary, Senate Secretariat to make necessary arrangements for the drawing of lots.