ISLAMABAD: A joint session of the bicameral Parliament has been summoned today (Friday) for important legislation.
The parliament’s joint session meets at 10 am with anticipation of strong strong protest from the opposition.
The National Assembly has already released 17 points agenda including key legislations.
President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned the joint sitting on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The session is scheduled to commence at 10am, with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, presiding over the proceedings.
President Zardari convened the session at the Parliament House in Islamabad while utilising the powers granted under Article 54(1) of the Constitution.
The government is expected to present pending bills for legislative consideration. Moreover, bills returned by former president Arif Alvi would be discussed and reviewed in the joint assembly.
As the government prepares for this crucial session, all eyes will be on the opposition’s response, which is likely to be vocal and confrontational.
In the upcoming joint session of Parliament, a total of 10 government and private bills will be discussed, including significant legislative proposals. Such bills were previously returned to Parliament by the ex-president without approval.
Special security arrangements have been made for the joint session, said a statement from the National Assembly spokesperson. Access for guests has been restricted to ensure order during the proceedings.
In light of the joint session, the Senate’s meeting has also been rescheduled. Instead of starting at 10:30am, the upper house of Parliament is expected to start at 2:30pm.
Bills returned to parliament without approval
As per media reports, a total of 29 bills were returned to parliament by the president without approval. Of these, 21 were sent back by former president Arif Alvi and eight from his successor Asif Ali Zardari.
The PTI-backed president returned 10 government bills, some or all of which are expected to be discussed in the upcoming joint session of Parliament. Such bills had previously been approved by both houses and sent to the president for confirmation, but were returned. The returned bills include both government and private legislation.
Among the bills likely to be considered are the following government proposals:
- Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2023
- Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Bill 2023
- NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology, Multan (Amendment) Bill
- Federal Urdu University (Amendment) Bill 2023
- Import and Export Control (Amendment) Bill 2023
- Trade Organizations (Amendment) Bill 2023
- National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill 2023
- National Skills University, Islamabad (Amendment) Bill 2023
- Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2023
- Press Newspapers, News Agencies, and Books Registration (Amendment) Bill
