ISLAMABAD: Amidst a chorus of opposition dissent, the National Assembly (NA) proceeded to pass seven ordinances on Friday.
Under the stewardship of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the NA session became a battleground of sorts, with opposition members vehemently protesting the government’s presentation of seven ordinances for extension within the lower house of Parliament.
Omar Ayub, denouncing the session as ‘unlawful,’ lambasted the government’s rapid introduction of the ordinances. He raised concerns about the lack of thorough scrutiny, noting that neither the opposition nor members from the treasury benches had adequately reviewed the ordinances.
Tensions escalated to the point where opposition members resorted to tearing copies of the agenda during the session, illustrating the intensity of their dissatisfaction.
Among the ordinances greenlit by the house were the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Ordinance 2023, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation 2023, Pakistan Postal Services Management Board Ordinance 2023, National Highway Authority Amendment Bill 2023, Privatisation Commission Amendment Ordinance 2023, and Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 2023.
These ordinances were formally presented by Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, further fueling the ire of the opposition.
Earlier in the session, the assembly witnessed the induction of five newly elected members representing women’s reserved seats, who took their oath as MNAs. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq administered the oath, marking their formal entry into the legislative body.
Additionally, the House observed a moment of silence and offered prayers (fateha) for the Palestinians who lost their lives in Gaza, underscoring the global concerns for humanitarian crises.
