The joint session of the Parliament which met in Islamabad on Friday under the chair of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq passed three bills, bulldozing every bit of amendments the Opposition lawmakers introduced, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The three bills included: National Commission for Human Rights Amendment Bill, 2025, Daanish Schools Authority Bill, 2025 and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2025. These bills were passed with a majority vote.
The members of the Opposition parties staged protest in the House, chanting slogans in front of the dais of the presiding chair.
The joint sitting of Parliament on Friday passed the National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, with a majority vote, amid opposition from some members over proposed changes.
The bill was moved by Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, who told the House that the legislation was aimed at bringing clarity to the existing legal framework governing the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) and at defining more clearly the exercise of authority by the federation.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the amendment seeks to remove ambiguities in the law and has been introduced in pursuance of the direction of the cabinet in the light of the Supreme Court’s judgment (PLD 2016 SC 808).
During the session, amendments proposed by Senator Kamran Murtaza and MNA Aliya Kamran were rejected by the House. However, the joint sitting approved amendments moved by MNA Shazia Marri before passing the bill.
Opposition members raised concerns over certain provisions of the proposed law and called for a more detailed debate, but the government maintained that the changes were necessary to ensure legal clarity and effective functioning of the commission.
The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, moved by MNA Dr Sharmila Faruqui, was passed after the House rejected amendments proposed by MNA Aliya Kamran and Senator Kamran Murtaza, while approving amendments moved by Dr Faruqui.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, domestic violence remains a pervasive problem in Pakistan, with alarming statistics highlighting its widespread nature.
Data cited from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows that one in three women in the country experiences some form of domestic abuse during her lifetime.
The situation in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) is described as equally concerning, with a noticeable increase in cases being reported to the authorities.
The statement notes that the Federal Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment has also highlighted the rising number of domestic violence complaints in the ICT, pointing to the urgent need for stronger legal measures.
It further states that as a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Pakistan is committed to eliminating gender-based violence and ensuring women’s right to live free from abuse.
In particular, CEDAW’s General Recommendation obliges state parties to adopt comprehensive legal frameworks to prevent and address domestic violence and to provide victims with adequate support and legal recourse.
The new law seeks to bring Pakistan’s domestic legal framework in line with these international commitments by introducing stronger enforcement mechanisms, specialised support services, public awareness campaigns and preventive education programmes.
It also proposes more stringent penalties for offenders and improved legal protection for victims of domestic violence in the federal capital.
The purpose of the bill, according to the statement, is to significantly reduce domestic violence in the ICT by establishing a comprehensive legal framework ensuring the protection, support and safety of victims.
The legislation aims to define domestic violence, outline preventive measures and provide accessible legal recourse and support systems, while holding perpetrators accountable and working towards the elimination of abuse in all its forms — including physical, emotional, psychological and financial violence.
Meanwhile, the joint sitting also passed the Daanish Schools Authority Bill, 2025, which was moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazl Chaudhry.
The House rejected amendments moved by MNA Aliya Kamran and Senator Kamran Murtaza, while accepting certain amendments proposed by Dr Chaudhry before approving the bill.
Ahsan defends joining Board of Peace
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan has joined Board of Peace to contribute to peace in Palestine.
The minister was speaking at the joint sitting of Parliament in response to the remarks made by Raja Nasir Abbas, the Leader of the opposition in the Senate, and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Defending the decision of joining Board of Peace, Ahsan Iqbal said contributing to Gaza peace along with other fraternal countries is a diplomatic success for Pakistan.
He said this has provided them an opportunity to play a role for protection of rights of Palestinians and peace.
The minister for Planning emphasized that Pakistan's policy on Palestine remains unchanged. He said Pakistan considers Israel an aggressor whose hands are soaked in the blood of innocent Palestinian people. He said Pakistan supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders.
Ahsan Iqbal categorically stated there is no threat to the country's sovereignty and security. Alluding to the humiliating defeat inflicted on India by our Armed Forces in May conflict, last year, he said nobody can dare cast an evil against Pakistan.
“Had we not joined the Board of Peace the opposition would have blamed the government of diplomatic isolation,” the minister remarked.
Resolution on Gul Plaza tragedy
The joint sitting of the parliament passed a resolution expressing grief and sorrow over the catastrophic fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi.
The resolution moved by Farooq Sattar extended heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their dear ones and prayed for the recovery of those injured in the fire incident.
Paying tributes to the fire fighters, the resolution demanded the Sindh government to ensure compensation to the bereaved families and immediate recovery of affected businesses.
It also demanded an increase in the number of firefighting stations in the provincial capital, calling upon the federal government to provide necessary support to the Sindh government in this regard.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, the resolution demanded concrete actions so that no such incident occurs again.
It has been three days since the live proceedings of National Assembly and the joint sitting were not broadcast live on youtube channel and Facebook. Experts were trying to remove the fault but so far have not succeeded.
Following the passage of the bills, the joint session was prororogued sine die.
Reporters Usman Khan and Tayyab Saif