In a fast-paced joint parliament session, the government pushed through four bills in just nine minutes, despite loud protests and disruptions from the opposition. The session, lasting only 18 minutes, saw eight bills presented, with four passed and the remaining four postponed until the next session on February 12.
At the beginning of the session, PTI members raised a ruckus, loudly protesting, tearing agenda copies, and throwing them in the House. Despite the commotion, the opposition’s focus seemed more on making noise and chanting slogans than offering substantive opposition to the legislation.
Seizing the moment, the government swiftly passed key bills, including the Trade Regulations Amendment Bill 2021 and the National Institute of Technology Establishment Bill. All the bills had been returned from the Presidency and were presented in the joint session. Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal quickly introduced the Trade Regulations Amendment Bill, which was passed almost immediately. Similarly, MNA Zahra Wadood Fatemi presented the National Institute of Technology Bill, and Senator Manzoor Kakar introduced the National Excellence Institute Bill—both approved amid the chaos. The Export Control Act Amendment Bill was also passed without much debate.
Chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the session saw the postponement of several other bills, including the National Commission for Human Rights Amendment Bill, NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Bill, National Skills University Bill, and Federal Urdu University Amendment Bill, which will be revisited in the next session on February 12.
Journalists covering the session also protested the approval of the controversial PECA Bill by wearing black bands, drawing attention to concerns about press freedom and censorship.
As the session concluded, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq adjourned proceedings until February 12, leaving unresolved political tensions and the fate of the postponed bills in limbo.
