Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Senate passes resolution condemning Israeli airstrikes on Iran

Senate

Islamabad: The Senate of Pakistan has passed a resolution strongly condemning the recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran. The resolution was presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and was unanimously approved by the House. The resolution states that Israel’s actions are a clear violation of international law and United Nations conventions, terming … Read more

PM Shehbaz takes notice of Senate, NA Speaker salary hike

PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of pay raise for Senate Chairman and National Assembly Speaker. According to sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the salary increases for the Senate Chairman, Deputy Chairman, National Assembly Speaker, and Deputy Speaker. Sources further said that the Prime Minister has sought a … Read more

Senate denounces Khuzdar terror attack

Senate denounces Khuzdar terror attack

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Khuzdar, labeling the targeting of schoolchildren as inhumane and called for a stronger defense against external threats and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens. The motion to suspend the normal business and discuss the Khuzdar attack was presented by Senator Agha Shahzaib … Read more

Senate rejects India’s allegations linking Pakistan to IIOJK attack

Senate

ISLAMABAD: Senate of Pakistan unanimously passed a strongly worded resolution rejecting India’s allegations that Pakistan was involved in the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The resolution, moved by Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, categorically denounced what it described as “baseless and frivolous” attempts … Read more

ECP announces Senate by-poll schedule on Taj Haider’s seat

ECP

KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced to hold election for the general seat of the Senate of Pakistan, fallen vacant due to the death of late Senator Taj Haider. According to notification issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan, polling for election will be held on May 06, 2025 at Sindh Assembly … Read more

Senate’s Deputy Chairman pays tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Senate Deputy Chairman

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan on Wednesday paid tribute to Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, recognizing his visionary leadership and tireless efforts in establishing an independent and sovereign nation. In his remarks, Syedaal Khan stressed the relevance of Jinnah’s guiding principles of unity, faith, and discipline, urging the nation to adopt these values as … Read more

Senate and NA sessions called tomorrow

Islamabad: Senate and National Assembly calls meeting at Parliament house on Monday

The Senate and the National Assembly will hold separate sessions at the Parliament House in Islamabad tomorrow. The Upper House will meet at 6:00 p.m., while the Lower House will commence at 4:00 p.m. In addition to legislative business, both Houses will discuss matters of national and international importance. [embedpost slug=”pia-privatization-is-set-to-take-place-tomorrow-in-islamabad/”]

ATC sends two BNP-Mengal leaders to jail on judicial remand

ATC

ISLAMABAD:  The anti-terrorism court has sent 2 leaders of Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M)  to jail on judicial remand in the case of carrying weapons in the Senate.

Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court, Islamabad Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra heard the case against BNP Mengal leaders Akhtar Hussain and Shafi Muhammad for carrying weapons in the Senate Hall, in which connection they were brought to the court after two days of physical remand.

During the hearing, when the investigating officer(IO) asked for more remand for the recovery of weapons. On which court asked what was done in the last 2-day remand and which weapon is to be recovered.

Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra asked who is the head of the security of the Senate House and he should ask the security.

Later, the court rejected the plea of ​​physical remand for two more days and sent Akhtar Hussain and Shafi Muhammad to judicial remand prison.

[embedpost slug=”bnp-senator-qasim-ranjo-resigns-after-voting-against-party-policy”]

Read more

Senate passes resolution demanding Sep 7 as Finality of Prophethood Day

Senate

ISLAMABAD: The Upper House of the Parliament on Monday unanimously passed the resolution demanding the government to declare official celebration of the of Finality of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) Day on September 7th as a national holiday in connection with the day of declaration of Qadianis as non-Muslims.

The 12th meeting of the 342nd Senate Session started almost 11 minutes late with the recitation of the Holy Quran under Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan Nasar in chair.

Senator Atta-ur-Rehman of Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) moved the resolution stating: “Commemorating the historical day of September 7, 1974; the day when the Parliament of Pakistan unanimously declared Qadianis as a non-Muslims minority; Noting that indeed that day was historical not just for Pakistan but for the entire Muslim world as the long sustained struggle of the Muslims ultimately became successful; Realizing that it is imperative to highlight and remember the historical moments, the Senate of Pakistan, therefore, recommends to the Government that the day may be celebrated officially and be declared as a national holiday.”

Speaking on the motion, he said the Day was historic as the Parliament put a bulwark against the invaders on the sanctity of the Finality of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The occasion demanded the government to create awareness among the young generation, by declaring it a national holiday, on the matter of critical religious importance, he added.

Maulana Atta underlined that the Parliament session continued for 13 consecutive days to declare these rebel Qadianis as non-Muslims.

“The government should announce medals for those Parliamentarians who played crucial role in ensuring protection of the Finality of Prophethood (Peace Be Upon Him) to remember their meritorious contributions for Islam,” the JUI-F Senator said.

[embedpost slug=”na-session-adjourned-till-12-30pm-today-as-jui-reluctant-to-back-govts-proposed-amendment”]

Read more

NA approves Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill 2024

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly approved the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill 2024 with a majority vote.

According to the bill, unauthorized assembly and protest in Islamabad would result in a 3-year imprisonment, and a second violation would result in a 10-year imprisonment.

According to the bill, the authorization of the deputy commissioner (DC) would be required for any such gathering; however, the DC’s decision can be challenged by making an appeal to the commissioner.

[embedpost slug=”senate-passes-bill-imposing-3-years-jail-term-for-unauthorised-gatherings/”]

Read more

Senate passes bill imposing 3-years jail term for unauthorised gatherings

Senate passes

ISLAMABAD: Senate approved “Peaceful Assembly and Public Peace Bill” with majority vote before the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf(PTI) rally in the federal capital.

Through this bill imprisonment up to three years for holding or participating in unauthorised protests in the capital city despite opposition by the PTI.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui, while presenting the bill, said that the Standing Committee Interior has approved the bill by 6 to one, it should be approved immediately.

On this, PTI’s Senator Ali Zafar said that this law is being made to stop PTI’s rally.

In response to Ali Zafar’s criticism, Irfan Siddiqui said that this bill has nothing to do with any rally, the entire city is currently in a cage and under siege.

Later, opposition leader Senator Shibli Faraz addressed the chair that “you are misusing your authority. Your malice is evident. You will also face the music, one day. The city is locked down when [international] cricket teams come here.”

He offered the government to hold a rally. This law is made to target the PTI’s rally. The law minister cannot hoodwink the house, he added.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that the administration’s permission to PTI to hold a rally is still intact, a peaceful rally is party right.

Later, Senator Siddiqui moved the motion for “Peaceful Assembly and Public Peace Bill, 2024,” in the House which was passed by a majority vote.

[embedpost slug=”bill-to-regulate-protests-in-mega-urban-centers-tabled-in-senate”]

Read more

Senate Standing Committee calls for forensic audit of IPPs

IPPs

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has decided to conduct a forensic audit of the Independent Power Producers(IPPs).

A meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat was held under the chairmanship of Rana Mehmoodul Hassan, in which a briefing was given to the committee on behalf of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Chairman Waseem Mukhtar.

Chairman NEPRA said that it is the most difficult task to establish a balance between the government, the electricity company and the consumers. Now the new power generation plants are not being imported , the commercial market has started opening by October and November. The consumer will be allowed to get electricity from the company of his choice.

Waseem Mukhtar said that we all made a mistake, there was a shortage of electricity after 2007, in 2013-14, power plants were built with Chinese assistance, we thought that GDP would remain at 6 percent, we added electricity based on this calculation.

He said that due to power shortage, “We had given incentives to the companies, we had given incentives in dollars to the companies setting up the plants, the value of our rupee is not stable, so the investor asks for payment in dollars”.

He said that the price of electricity will not increase if the government gives confidence to the investors and keeps the economic conditions stable.

Senator Abdul Qadir said that IPPs made money by over-pricing and power producers have made money in 10 years.  The forensic audit should be conducted and it should also be closely monitored.

[embedpost slug=”fpcci-demands-forensic-audit-of-ipps”]

Read more

Senate panel agrees to increase number of SC judges  

Senate

ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee on Law and Justice of the Upper House (Senate) agreed to increase the number of judges of the Supreme Court.

Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice met under the chairmanship of Senator Farooq H. Naik in which it was decided to increase the number of judges of the Supreme Court.

The committee took this decision after discussing the amendment bill of Senator Fauzia Arshad of PTI. In this bill, the number of judges of the Supreme Court has been proposed to be increased from 17 to 20.

Senator Hamid Khan of PTI opposed the bill and said that nothing will be done by increasing the number of judges.

Senator Fauzia Arshad of PTI said that a few days ago there was a proposal to appoint 4 ad hoc judges which is a proof of this need.

Chairman Standing Committee Farooq H. Naik said that this committee will decide the number of judges of the Supreme Court. The load of cases in the Supreme Court has increased but the judges are the same 17. It is possible to increase the number of judges through simple legislation and no constitutional amendment is required.

Senator Anusha Rehman said that the work of the Supreme Court is not to rewrite the constitution, the Supreme Court should stay within its powers, the judiciary gives more priority to those cases that make news, there is nothing to increase the number of judges.

On this, Prime Minister Nazir Tarar said that the Supreme Court should be a constitutional court and the appellate forum should be limited to the level of the High Court. It should be given that these five judges will hear the cases of Article 184-3 after one o’clock, but the final decision has to be taken by the committee.

While seeking cases and other details to increase the number of judges, the Standing Committee postponed the bill to increase the number of judges of the Supreme Court till the next session.

[embedpost slug=”jcp-approves-appointment-of-justice-mosood-justice-miankhel-as-ad-hoc-judges-to-sc-for-1-year”]

Read more

Senate approves travel ban for non-filers

Senate

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Finance approved the proposal to ban non-filers from traveling abroad.

The meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Finance was chaired by Chairman Saleem Mandviwala. The committee approved the proposal to ban foreign travel of non-filers.

Chairman FBR said that action will be taken against those who do not file tax return under Income Tax General Order. Hajj, Umrah, young children, students and overseas Pakistanis holding the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP)with will be exempted.

According to Chairman FBR, non-filer mobile SIM, electricity and gas connections will also be disconnected.

Farooq H. Naik said that the ban on non-filer’s travel abroad should be considered as being in the exit control list.

Chairman FBR said that the rate of withholding tax on non-filers is also high, the mobile SIM and business of non-filers can also be closed, in the list of 500,000 non-filers, there are people with annual income of more than two million.

[embedpost slug=”sindh-govt-increases-employees-salaries-up-to-30pc”]

Read more

RO announces Senate Election schedule for 12 seats of Sindh

Senate

KARACHI: The Returning officer Sharifullah has issued a schedule for submission of nomination papers for Senate Elections on 12 seats of Sindh.

In pursuance of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s notification, the Returning officer for the Senate Elections in Sindh, Sharifullah issued a schedule for the submission of nomination papers for 12 seats including seven general, two women, two technocrats, and one non-Muslim reserved seats from Sindh.

According to public notice, the polling for Senate seats from Sindh will be held at the Sindh Assembly building on April 2, 2024.

The candidates will have to file their nomination papers with Returning Officer on 15 and 16 March, 2024.

The names of the candidates will be published on March 17 and the scrutiny of the nomination papers will be carried out on March 19.

As per the given schedule, appeals against acceptance and rejections of nomination papers will be filed on March 21 and the disposal of appeals by the Tribunal will be made on March 25 while the revised list will be published by the Tribunal on March 26, 2024.

[embedpost slug=”ppp-wins-four-senate-seats-in-by-elections”]

Read more

ECP issues election schedule for Senate vacant seats

ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan(ECP) has released the election schedule for the vacant seats of the Senate.

According to the schedule issued by the ECP, the election will be held on March 14 for the 6 vacant seats of the Senate.

The vacant seats in the Senate include the seats of Yusuf Raza Gilani, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, Nisar Khuhro, Jam Mehtab, Prince Ahmed Umar and Sarfaraz Bugti.

The nomination papers for the Senate seats can be submitted from March 2 to 3, after which the list of candidates will be displayed on March 3, while the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on March 5.

The appeals on nomination papers can be submitted till March 7 and the tribunals will dispose of appeals till March 9, nomination papers can be withdrawn till March 10.

Polling for Senate seats will be held in National Assembly, Sindh Assembly and Balochistan Assembly.

The National Assembly members will elect one member from Islamabad while Sindh Assembly members will elect two members and Balochistan Assembly members will elect three members.

[embedpost slug=”gilani-nuzhat-sadiq-ghafoor-haidari-resign-from-senate-seats”]

Read more

Gilani, Nuzhat Sadiq, Ghafoor Haidari resign from Senate seats

Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Nuzhat Sadiq, and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari have resigned from the Senate seats.

PPP senior leader Yusuf Raza Gilani submitted his resignation from the Senate seat to Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani.

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani accepted the resignation of Yusuf Raza Gilani, the notification of which has also been issued. The PPP leader has taken oath as a Member of the National Assembly.

It should be noted that earlier the news of Yusuf Raza Gilani being made the Chairman of the Senate came out and there were three years left for his tenure in the Senate.

On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Nuzhat Sadiq and Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari resigned from the Senate seats.

Senator Nuzhat Sadiq submitted his resignation to Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani which was accepted by him. Senator Nuzhat Sadiq will take oath as a member of the National Assembly.

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari of Jamiat Ulema Islam has also resigned from the Senate seat.

Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari also submitted his resignation to Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani which he accepted and issued the notification.

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari will also take oath as a member of the National Assembly today.

[embedpost slug=”achakzai-ghazala-gola-elected-as-balochistan-speaker-deputy-speaker”]

Read more

Senate passes resolution to postpone elections 2024

Senate
  • Senator Dilawar Khan tabled resolution in upper house.
  • He said security forces attacked in KP and Balochistan.
  • Senator said it is very cold in most of the areas in KP.

ISLAMABAD: The Senate passed the resolution to postpone the elections 2024 in the country by a majority vote.

Senator Dilawar Khan tabled a resolution in the upper house of the Parliament seeking a delay in the elections which was approved by the majority of lawmakers. He said that it is very cold in most of the areas, due to which it is difficult for these areas to participate in the election process.

Dilawar Khan said attacks were carried out on Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) members and Mohsin Dawar. He said security forces have been attacked in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan while Awami National Party leader Aimal Wali also had reservations over elections.

The senator said threat alerts were also issued by the intelligence agencies during election rallies.

[embedpost slug=”judge-election-tribunal-reserves-decision-on-appeal-of-atif-khan”]

Read more

Senator Saifullah Abro removes from Standing Committee’s chairmanship   

Senator
  • The motion submitted under Senate Rules, garnered unanimous support.
  • Azam Nazir Tarar as new Chairman of  Standing Committee on Power.
  • The meeting chaired by Additional Secretary Hafeezullah Sheikh.

ISLAMABAD: Senator Saifullah Abro has been removed from his position as the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Power following a motion of no confidence.

The motion, submitted under Senate Rules, garnered unanimous support, leading to Senator Abro’s removal from the prestigious role.

The no-confidence motion against Senator Saifullah Abro was moved by Senators Bahramand Khan Tangi, Manzoor Kakar, Sana Jamali, Hafiz Abdul Karim, and Dilawar Khan.

The meeting, convened at the Parliament House and chaired by Additional Secretary Hafeezullah Sheikh, witnessed the unanimous election of Senator Azam Nazir Tarar as the new Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Power.

Senator Tarar has been entrusted with the responsibility to lead the committee towards a path of progress and efficiency.

Among the notable attendees at the meeting were Senators Azam Nazir Tarar, Saifullah Abro, Saifullah Khan Niazi, Haji Hidayatullah, Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Sana Jamali, Dilawar Khan, Haji Hidayatullah, Muhammad Ali Shah Jamot, and Fida Muhammad.

Their participation signifies the collective commitment to the Senate’s functions and responsibilities.

[embedpost slug=”ishaq-dar-appointed-chairman-of-pmlns-election-cellishaq-dar-appointed-chairman-of-pmlns-election-cell”]

Read more

JUI-F’s Kamran Murtaza stages walkout protest in Senate over census handling

Senate protest

He raised concerns about anomalies and alleged a reduction of 6.4 million in Balochistan’s population. Mian Raza Rabbani urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to communicate and clarify the delimitation process timeframe openly. He emphasized completing the exercise within nine days to ensure elections take place within the mandated 90-day period. During a Senate … Read more

Senate drops ‘Prevention of Violent Extremism Bill’

Prevention of Violent Extremism Bill

Ruling coalition senators say bill attack on democracy. Stated the bill is against every political party and not just PTI. The bill was dropped in the wake of majority opposition in the House. Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani has dropped the government’s Prevention of Violent Extremism (Amendment) Bill from the day’s agenda during a session of … Read more

Senate passes Contempt of Parliament Bill

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday unanimously passed the Contempt of Parliament Bill. The Contempt of Parliament Bill was introduced by Senator Kauda Babar and was approved along with several other bills. The Senate passed eight bills within the single day including the “Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2023”, The others bills include “The Contempt … Read more

Ishaq Dar clarifies remarks on Pakistan’s nuclear programme

Ishaq Dar

Ishaq Dar clarifies his statement on the nuclear programme He said the remarks were “quoted out of context” He said the IMF was delayed due to technical reasons ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar clarified his statement given on the floor of the Senate regarding the country’s nuclear programme, saying the remarks were “quoted out of … Read more

Senate to hold golden jubilee celebrations in March with austerity

Senate

Senate unanimously approved motion to hold golden jubilee celebrations Chairman Senate said the celebrations should be held with austerity A special session of the Senate will be held in March on the occasion ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday unanimously approved the motion to hold golden jubilee celebrations due in March with austerity and soberness due … Read more

US FAA forms safety review team following multiple near miss incidents

US FAA safety review team

FAA decided to establish a safety review team. The committee is being formed to assess the US aerospace system’s structure. FAA will conduct a safety conference in March. Following multiple recent near-miss accidents that prompted concerns about the American aviation system, the acting director of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is establishing a safety review … Read more

Russian oil cargoes to start arriving from April, Senate told

Russian oil

Musadik Malik said vessels carrying Russian oil would arrive in April He said commercial terms will be finalized by the end of March He said long-term contract for crude oil import is under discussion ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik told Senate on Friday that vessels carrying Russian oil and crude products would … Read more

Senate of Pakistan nominates Erdogan for Nobel Peace Prize

Erdogan

Senate of Pakistan nominated Turkish President Erdogan for Nobel Peace Prize Erdogan has been favoured for efforts to resolve Russia-Ukraine war Chairman Senate said President Erdogan is a true statesman and carries message of peace ISLAMABAD: The Senate of Pakistan has officially registered the nomination of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the prestigious Nobel … Read more

Senate passes Foreign Investment Bill to protect Reko Diq deal

Reko Diq

Senate passed the Foreign Investment (Promotion and Protection) Bill The bill aims to protect investors and promote large-scale foreign investment The bill was passed to favour the multi-billion Reko Diq investment ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday passed the Foreign Investment (Promotion and Protection) Bill, 2022 to promote and protect foreign investment in relation to the … Read more