Islamabad, January 24, 2025: A joint session of Parliament on Friday passed four bills, including the Trade Organisations Amendment Bill 2021, despite heated disruptions from opposition lawmakers belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The session, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, commenced an hour later than scheduled. PTI lawmakers protested vigorously, holding placards and raising slogans that disrupted the proceedings.
Notable attendees included Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and Sherry Rehman.
Tensions escalated when opposition members sought the floor to address points of order, but the Speaker denied the opposition leader a chance to speak, sparking further protests. Amid chants rejecting the PECA Act, the Speaker donned headphones to proceed with the session.
Despite the uproar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal presented the Trade Organisations Amendment Bill 2021 and the Imports and Exports Regulation Amendment Bill 2023, both of which were passed. Senator Manzoor Kakar introduced and secured approval for the National Excellence Institute Bill 2024 and the National Institute of Technology Bill 2023.
The joint session, which lasted a mere 18 minutes, saw four bills passed within nine minutes. It was adjourned until February 12.
Approved Bills:
- Trade Organisations Amendment Bill 2021
- National Institute of Technology Bill 2023
- National Excellence Institute Bill 2024
- Imports and Exports Regulation Amendment Bill 2023
Deferred Bills:
- National Commission for Human Development Amendment Bill 2023
- NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Amendment Bill 2023
- National Skills University Islamabad Amendment Bill 2023
- Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science, and Technology Islamabad Amendment Bill 2023
