Senate passes amendments to penal code, maternity benefits and free education bills

The Senate on Monday passed several important amendment bills during its session, including the Pakistan Penal Code Amendment Bill 2026, Islamabad Maternity Benefits Amendment Bill and the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Amendment Bill.

The Pakistan Penal Code Amendment Bill 2026 was presented in the House by Senator Sarmad Ali and was approved by the Upper House. 

Meanwhile, the Islamabad Maternity Benefits Amendment Bill and the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Amendment Bill were presented by Fawzia Arshad and were also passed by the Senate.

MPs Salary and Allowances Bill Referred to Committee

During the session, Senator Abdul Qadir presented the Members of Parliament Salary and Allowances Amendment Bill and urged the House to pass it immediately.

Speaking on the bill, Senator Abdul Qadir said the proposed legislation suggested that members of parliament should continue to receive certain facilities even after completion of their tenure. He said retired senior civil servants continue to enjoy the facility of blue passports.

The government opposed the bill presented by Senator Talal Chaudhry. Speaking on the matter, Talal Chaudhry said misuse of passports affects Pakistan’s international ranking.

Former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar said parliamentarians had never misused passports.

Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani remarked that if the bill was put to vote, it would be defeated, and suggested referring it to the relevant committee. He said no law is inherently good or bad, but its implementation should be monitored. He subsequently referred the bill to the standing committee.

Pervez Rashid Says Govt Too Worried About Inflation

Senator Pervez Rashid, while talking to the media outside Parliament House, said the government was equally concerned about inflation just as the public was worried.

He said people were tired of inflation and the Prime Minister was also troubled by the situation. According to Pervez Rashid, the Prime Minister wants to reduce and completely eliminate inflation.

He said the Prime Minister had already demonstrated efforts by initially bringing inflation down. He added that the current government was not responsible for the prevailing inflationary situation and maintained that the recent increase in prices was due to the war.