The National Assembly Monday passed seven government bills including the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023 which aims to amend the Pakistan Army Act 1952.

The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed by the Senate last week, and according to today’s agenda of the NA, it was scheduled to be presented by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in the lower house of Parliament.

Previously in the upper house of Parliament, senators had criticised the bill, and the PTI on Saturday decided to initiate a probe into the role of its senators in the passing of the legislation.

While tabling it today, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that none of the provisions of the amendment act would apply to civilians.

He further elaborated that a matter pertaining to military trials had been taken up by the Supreme Court and this legislation would not apply to those trials as well. “This will not be retrospective in nature.”

Three bills were approved after the passage of a motion to suspend the rules for immediate consideration of these legislative proposals.

The bills include the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, 2023; the National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology, Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, 2023 in the National Assembly which was passed by the House along with amendments proposed by him.

While introducing the bill, Minister for Law and Justice said that the establishment of the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund would ensure economic development through the management of funds and assets to achieve their optimal use according to the best international standards.

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain moved the National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology, Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Both bills were passed by the House.

Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the Defence Housing Authority Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The minister highlighted the salient features of legislation as both of these bills have been approved by the Senate.

He also laid the annual report of the National Commission for Human Rights for the period from December 2021 to December 2022, as required by sub-section (2) of section 28 of the National Commission for Human Rights Act, 2012.

State Minister for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan moved the Cantonments (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Board of Investment (Amendment) Bill, 2023 which were passed by the House.

Later, the House was adjourned to meet again on August 1, 2023 (Tuesday) at 11 am.