The Electoral Act changed as the opposition warns against restrictions on transparency and judicial powers
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill allowing members of the National Assembly and Senate to keep their assets confidential for up to a year, citing security concerns.
The bill, tabled by Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Shazia Marri, introduces important amendments to the Elections Act 2017. Under the new law, a lawmaker can request that details of their own or their family’s assets be kept secret if there is a credible threat to their security.
Once such a request is approved by the Speaker of the National Assembly or the Chairman of the Senate, the Election Commission of Pakistan will be required to keep the information confidential for up to one year.
The legislation also moves key powers under election law from the Supreme Court to the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). It gives the FCC primary authority over appeals, legal interpretation, and resolution of election disputes.
As part of the amendments, the word “Supreme” has been replaced with “Federal Constitutional Court” in section 155 of the Electoral Act. Amendments were also made to Sections 202, 212, and 232, formally bringing the FCC into these provisions.
According to the bill, the FCC’s role across various legal forums has been clearly defined with the stated goal of ensuring transparency while balancing fundamental rights.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticized the bill, saying it would transfer routine election cases from the Supreme Court to the Constitutional Court. He argued that such cases did not require constitutional interpretation.
“If the Election Commission orders a re-poll at 20 polling stations, this case will now be brought to the Constitutional Court,” he said.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar defended the changes, saying many Election Commission cases had already been heard by the Constitutional Court. He said issues like banning a political party were constitutional and should be decided by the FCC.
Cases related to floor crossing would also fall under the Constitutional Court, he said, adding that it was not practical for most election appeals to go to the Supreme Court while others went to another forum.
After the adoption in the National Assembly, the bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
18. amendment negotiation
During the session, senior PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar raised a point of order and accused opponents of using the recent Gul Plaza fire in Karachi to criticize the 18th Amendment.
Referring to remarks made by the defense minister and PML-N parliamentary leader Khawaja Asif, Qamar said the fire was being used as an excuse to target the constitutional amendment.
“The Yellow Plaza fire was used as an excuse to target the 18th Amendment. The issue of the fire was deliberately linked to this constitutional amendment,” he said.
Qamar warned against centralization of powers and said Pakistan’s strength lay in its federal structure. “Pakistan is a federal country. Want to try a new experiment?” he asked.
He also criticized calls to take resources back from the provinces. “How can the provinces cut funding for health and education to give to the federation so it can take loans and repay them?” he said.
Indus Waters Treaty
In a separate briefing, the Ministry of Water Resources told Parliament that India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty since April 2025. It said around 1.45 million acres under the Upper Chenab Canal and 3.19 million acres under the Janab Canal were expected to be severely affected.
The ministry said that the availability of water per per capita had fallen from more than 5,000 cubic meters in 1951 to 819 cubic meters currently and was expected to drop to 744 cubic meters by 2030, posing serious social and economic risks.
Bills presented
Several other bills were introduced during the meeting.
The Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2026 seeking amendments to sections 174B and 174C was introduced by Mirza Ikhtiar Baig and referred to a committee.
A constitutional amendment seeking to abolish reserved seats for women and introduce direct elections was presented by PTI-backed lawmaker Aslam Ghumman. Law Minister Tarrar opposed the bill in principle and recommended it be sent to a standing committee.
Pakistan Steel Mills and Railways
In written responses, the Ministry of Industries and Production said Pakistan Steel Mills has been closed since 2015 and 700 acres had been earmarked for a new or revived steel mill. Agreements have been made with Russia’s Industrial Engineering Company, while the majority of the plant’s workforce has been laid off.
The Ministry of Railways said Pakistan Railways owns more than 168,000 acres nationwide, with over 12,000 acres under illegal occupation. It said thousands of acres had been reclaimed in recent years, generating revenue for the department.
Ali Muhammad Khan’s Remarks
PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan said the country’s political environment was discouraging for young people and criticized the treatment of former prime minister Imran Khan.
“A 75-year-old person is being seen in Adiala jail,” he said, adding that meetings with lawyers and family members were restricted.
He called for dialogue and said political leaders should sit together and talk. “Release Imran Khan and give him access,” he said.
The session of the National Assembly was adjourned until Thursday at 11 a.m.
