Pakistan Parliament Passes Key Legislation: Domestic Violence & Education Bills
- President urges provincial consultation on Daanish Schools, calls domestic violence bill vague
- The joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday passed multiple bills despite presidential objections, opposition protests and sloganeering in the House, in proceedings chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz...
- During the sitting, President Asif Ali Zardari's objections were raised on the Daanish Schools Authority Bill and the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Bill, with lawmakers from the...
President urges provincial consultation on Daanish Schools, calls domestic violence bill vague
National Assembly. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD:
The joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday passed multiple bills despite presidential objections, opposition protests and sloganeering in the House, in proceedings chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
During the sitting, President Asif Ali Zardari‘s objections were raised on the Daanish Schools Authority Bill and the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Bill, with lawmakers from the opposition insisting that the advice shoudl not be brushed aside.
On the Daanish Schools bill, the President objected that, “The federal government should consult the provinces before establishing the Daanish Schools Authority”.
On the domestic violence bill, the President’s objections included the assessment that “The domestic violence bill is vague,” along with objections to the proposed punishments. The President advised that “The domestic violence bill should be reconsidered instead of being approved in its present form”.
Daanish Schools bill approved, enacted
The Daanish Schools Authority Bill 2025 was then presented. The Bill sets up a dedicated Daanish Schools Authority as a formal legal body to establish and run Daanish Schools, with the law described as taking effect instantly and applying to the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
The stated intent is to strengthen the governance and delivery of schooling, with priority given to children from low-income households. It shifts daanish Schools to being handled like a structured authority-led system, with a defined governance setup and an internal mechanism to run operations thru an Executive Committee.
Structurally, the Authority is created as a body corporate, meaning it has its own legal identity, perpetual succession, and an official seal, and can enter into contracts and sue or be sued. The Prime Minister is positioned as Chairman, with the relevant federal minister as Vice Chairman.
The framework gives the Authority oversight powers such as approving curriculum and related programmes, inspecting Daanish Schools, and coordinating with other educational institutions, alongside managing its operations through a dedicated Authority Fund.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Senator Kamran Murtaza read out the President’s advice in the House and said it was being ignored.
“The President asked for consultation with the provinces on the bills, which is being ignored,” he said, adding that “The federation has encroached upon the limits of the provinces”.
Read: Zardari returns Daanish Schools bill to Shehbaz
The Speaker proceeded with the approval process despite objections, triggering sloganeering by opposition members.Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) lawmakers protested in front of the Speaker’s dais, with Barrister Gohar chanting, “terrorist, terrorist, unacceptable”.
parliament approved the bill and later passed the daanish Schools Authority Act 2025, establishing a legal authority to administer Daanish Schools in the ICT, with immediate effect and with priority for children from low-income households.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also arrived in the House to att
Joint Session of Parliament Approves Key Bills, Adjourns Indefinitely
Table of Contents
Pakistan’s joint session of parliament approved the National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025 and a resolution concerning the Gul Plaza fire tragedy in Karachi before adjourning for an indefinite period. The session saw debate over procedural matters and the rejection of amendments proposed by some lawmakers.
National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025
The National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025 passed on January 23,2026,after being presented by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. The bill aims to strengthen the mandate and effectiveness of the National Commission for Human Rights.
Amendments proposed by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Shazia Marri were accepted by the government. However, amendments submitted by Senator Kamran Murtaza and Aalia Kamran of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) were rejected.
Gul Plaza Fire tragedy Resolution
The House unanimously adopted a resolution addressing the recent fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi, a tragedy that resulted in multiple fatalities. The resolution expresses condolences and calls for improved fire safety measures and compensation for the victims.
The resolution specifically “prays for forgiveness for those martyred in Gul Plaza” and “expresses solidarity with the victims of the Gul Plaza fire.” It also demands enhanced fire prevention arrangements and financial assistance for those affected.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman emphasized the national importance of the tragedy,stating,”This is not an issue of one city for us,it is indeed an issue of Pakistan,” and pledged the PPP’s full obligation for Karachi and its citizens. She also urged against politicizing or ethnicizing the incident.
Procedural Concerns and Protest
During the session, Senator Kamran Murtaza raised concerns about the lack of discussion regarding objections raised by the President on previous legislation. He argued that the current bill was detrimental to the domestic system.
Earlier in the session, members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) temporarily protested but returned to their seats. A separate protest continued, led by two lawmakers, concerning the military operation in Tirah.
The presiding officer disallowed debate from members who had not proposed amendments,stating,”I will not allow the member who did not move amendments to speak.”
Read more: Ahsan Iqbal defends Pakistan’s decision to join Trump’s Board of peace