Pakistan’s National Assembly approves four legislative bills through majority voting as parliamentary proceedings continue during the 30th session in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly passed four government bills by majority vote on Friday after completing clause-by-clause consideration during its parliamentary session.
The four proposed legislations covered higher education, engineering and technology, textile education and the national religious authority.
The bills included:
- Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- National Textile University (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- National Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026
During the parliamentary session, members also discussed several economic and administrative matters, including fertilizer availability, counterfeit medicines, railway digitization, wheat distribution and Pakistan International Airlines’ expansion plans.
Fertilizer shortage raises concerns
The House was informed that disruptions linked to the Middle East situation had affected gas supplies, forcing two urea manufacturing plants to temporarily shut down.
The closures resulted in a fertilizer availability shortfall exceeding 200,000 tonnes, creating supply difficulties in the domestic market.
Parliamentary Secretary Shaista Khan said Pakistan was also relying on imports to meet fertilizer requirements, with approximately 50 per cent of domestic needs being fulfilled through international supplies.
Digital system planned against counterfeit medicines
Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal informed lawmakers that the government was preparing a system to help consumers identify counterfeit medicines.
Under the proposed initiative, consumers will be able to scan two-dimensional barcodes on medicine packaging through mobile phones to verify product authenticity, approved prices and expiry dates.
The project is expected to be formally launched by the prime minister by the end of November.
PIA plans to induct four aircraft
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Osama Sarwar told the House that Pakistan International Airlines plans to add four aircraft to its fleet.
The first aircraft is scheduled to resume operations on November 1, while another is expected on November 15. Two additional aircraft are planned for January.
He also said PIA intends to begin flights from Karachi to the United Kingdom in January next year.
Government working on water projects
The House was further informed that federal and provincial governments were working jointly on dam construction and water-storage initiatives.
A telemetry monitoring system is also planned for installation at 27 locations to monitor river flows and water distribution among provinces.
The National Assembly session concluded after the parliamentary proceedings were completed.
