Senate sees turbulent year as protests, key legislation and quorum issues dominate 2025

The year 2025 proved eventful and turbulent for the Senate, marked by persistent opposition protests, challenges in completing quorum, passage of major legislation and the continued absence of a formally designated opposition leader in the upper house.

Throughout the year, opposition parties staged vigorous protests during Senate sessions, frequently disrupting proceedings and creating difficulties for the government in maintaining quorum. Despite these challenges, Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani oversaw the functioning of the House, with most sittings chaired by Deputy Chairman Syedal Khan Nasir.

One of the major legislative developments of the year was the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. Two opposition senators — PTI’s Saifullah Abro and JUI Senator Ahmed Khan — voted in favour of the amendment.

In total, the Senate passed 75 bills during 2025, including 39 government bills and 36 private members’ bills.

Key government legislation approved by the House included the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority Bill 2025, the National Commission for Human Rights Amendment Bill 2025, the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2025, the Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bill 2025, the Pakistan Navy Amendment Bill 2025, the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Bill 2025, and the Capital Development Authority Amendment Bill 2025.

Among the private members’ bills passed were the Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation Bill 2025, the Limited Liability Partnership Amendment Bill 2025, the Fatal Accident Amendment Bill 2025 and the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Bill 2025.

During the year, 19 government bills and 65 private bills were introduced in the Senate, while 26 bills were sent to the National Assembly for approval. The House also adopted 20 resolutions on various national and international issues, including a resolution on the arrival of the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan. Tributes were paid to Irfan Siddiqui, while a resolution expressing solidarity with Gaza and condemning Israeli actions was passed on Eid Milad-un-Nabi.

The Senate also witnessed continued incidents involving attacks on PTI senators. Chairman Gilani issued a ruling regarding noise and disruption caused by PTI protests during sessions.

On the parliamentary front, the position of Leader of the Opposition remains vacant following the disqualification of Shibli Faraz. Senators elected on 11 seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa joined the House, though newly elected Senator Murad Saeed has yet to take the oath. Another newly elected KP senator, Mashal Yousafzai, formally became part of the House during the year.

Attendance records showed that Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had the highest participation among federal ministers during Senate proceedings.

Meanwhile, following the passing of PML-N parliamentary leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Abid Sher Ali was elected unopposed as a senator.

In November 2025, Islamabad also hosted an important meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference, themed “Peace, Security and Development,” further highlighting the Senate’s engagement on regional and international parliamentary issues during a politically charged year.