In a whirlwind joint session of parliament, the government pushed through legislation at an unprecedented pace, passing four bills in just nine minutes amid opposition uproar.
The session, which lasted a mere 18 minutes, saw eight bills presented, with four approved and the rest postponed until the next session on February 12.
The opposition, led by PTI members, resorted to loud protests, tearing copies of the agenda and throwing them in the House at the outset of the session. However, their focus remained on noise and slogans instead of substantive opposition to the bills.
The government, seizing the opportunity, swiftly moved to pass key legislation, including the Trade Regulations Amendment Bill 2021 and the National Institute of Technology Establishment Bill. All the bills were presented in the joint session due to being returned from the Presidency.
Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal presented the Trade Regulations Amendment Bill, which was passed almost instantly. Similarly, MNA Zahra Wadood Fatemi introduced the National Institute of Technology Bill, and Senator Manzoor Kakar presented the National Excellence Institute Bill, both of which were approved amid the chaos. The Export Control Act Amendment Bill was also passed without significant debate.
The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, saw the postponement of several other bills, including the National Commission for Human Rights Amendment Bill, the NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Bill, the National Skills University Bill, and the Federal Urdu University Amendment Bill. These will be reconsidered in the next joint session scheduled for February 12.
Meanwhile, journalists covering the session protested against the approval of the controversial PECA Bill by wearing black bands, highlighting concerns over press freedom and censorship.
As the session concluded, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq adjourned the proceedings until February 12, leaving the fate of the postponed bills and the ongoing political tensions unresolved.
