Pakistan Citizenship, Extradition Amendment Bills sail through Senate

The Senate on Friday passed a string of important legislations concerning extradition, Pakistan citizenship and criminal laws, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Senate session, chaired by Deputy Chairman Sardar Syedal Khan Nasir, passed four bills which included the Extradition Amendment Bill, 2025, Pakistan Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2025, the Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2025 and Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Amendment Bill, 2025.

The National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority Ordinance was also laid before the House today.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry tabled the Extradition (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was opposed by PTI’s Barrister Ali Zafar. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar explained that extradition operates on mutual agreements between countries and has a set procedure. Despite opposition, the Senate passed the bill.

Talal Chaudhry also presented the Pakistan Citizenship Amendment Bill, which was approved by the Senate.

Legislative reports

Reports from nine Senate standing committees on key issues and legislative bills were presented in the Upper House, while the House granted extensions for the submission of two committee reports, in line with the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate.

The House approved Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman’s request to extend, by 60 days from July 18, 2025, the deadline for the Interior and Narcotics Control Committee’s report on the Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri on May 19, 2025.

The House approved Senator Irfan-ul-Haq’s request to extend the deadline by 60 days, effective July 16, 2025, for the Foreign Affairs Committee’s report on Starred Question No. 24 — raised by Senator Danesh Kumar on December 19, 2024—concerning deputation-based appointments in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the past five years.

Senator Shahadat Awan, on behalf of Senator Farooq H. Naek, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, presented the Committee’s report on the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill, 2025, aimed at establishing the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission.

On behalf of Senator Farooq H. Naek, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, Senator Shahadat Awan presented the Committee’s report on the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to amend the Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961.

Senator Shahadat Awan, on behalf of Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, presented the Committee’s report on the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2025—introduced by Senator Naek on May 19, 2025—to amend the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973.

Senator Shahadat Awan, on behalf of Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, presented the Committee’s report on the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2025—introduced by Senator Naek on May 19, 2025—to amend the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973.

Senator Fawzia Arshad presented the Functional Committee on Devolution’s annual report (April 2024–March 2025) on devolution issues under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, on behalf of Senator Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, the Committee’s Chairperson.

Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, Chairman of the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, presented the Committee’s report on the Privilege Motion moved by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan regarding misconduct by the Chief Operating Officer of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC).

Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, Chairman of the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, presented the Committee’s report on the Privilege Motion submitted by the Chairperson and Members of the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication against the Deputy Secretary (Council) of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication for misleading the Committee.

Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, Chairman of the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, presented the Committee’s report on the Privilege Motion moved by Senator Mir Dostain Khan Domki concerning the irresponsible conduct of the Secretary, Communications and Works, Government of Balochistan.

Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, presented the Committee’s annual report for the period from June 2024 to May 2025.

NHA earns record revenues

The Senate was informed that the National Highway Authority (NHA) earned record revenues during the last fiscal year.

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan told the House during the Question Hour that NHA earned fifty billion rupees more during this period as compared to the previous financial year. He expressed the determination to accelerate work on road infrastructure projects.

Abdul Aleem Khan said construction of Karachi-Quetta-Chaman Expressway is amongst the top priority projects of the government.

He said the Prime Minister has constituted a steering committee to follow up progress on this project and allocated dedicated funds for this project from the Petroleum Development Levy.

Abdul Aleem Khan said the Federal Government has written letters to the provincial governments including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, offering to reconstruct the roads at the tourist spots. He noted that better road infrastructure at picturesque places will also promote tourism in those areas.

Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government is pursuing the policy of making recruitments in departments on merit. He said the provincial governments should also focus on improving the standard of education.

Later, the House was adjourned to meet again on Monday at 5:00 pm.

Reporter Usman Khan