Senate passes four private bills unanimously

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – The Senate on Monday unanimously passed four private members’ bills, including the Zakat and Ushr (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the National Security Council (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2024, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The bills were moved in the House by Senators Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Saadia Abbasi, and Shahadat Awan. Each bill was approved following clause-by-clause consideration.

Meanwhile, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani referred two proposed laws — the Al-Biruni International University Bill, 2025, and the Corporate Social Responsibility Bill, 2026 — to the relevant standing committees for detailed review.

Senators Khalid Tahir and Sherry Rehman introduced the bill seeking the establishment of Al-Biruni International University in Islamabad, along with the Corporate Social Responsibility Bill, 2026.

Earlier in the session, four additional bills were formally presented before the House: the Islamabad Real Estate Regulation and Development Amendment Bill, 2026; the Pakistan Penal Code Amendment Bill, 2026; the Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Amendment Bill, 2026; and the Majority Amendment Bill, 2026. These were also referred to the concerned committees for further deliberation.

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Prior to the legislative proceedings, the House Business Advisory Committee (HBAC) met at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani. The committee reviewed the legislative agenda for the 359th Senate session.

In addition to lawmaking, the session will include discussions on key national and international issues. The HBAC indicated that the current session is expected to continue until March 3, 2026.

The meeting was attended by Leader of the Opposition Senator Raja Nasir Abbas, Senator Rana Sanaullah Khan, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Manzoor Ahmad, Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan, Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Amir Walli ud Din Chishti, Senator Kamil Ali Khan, Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Secretary Senate Syed Hasnain Haider.

The Secretary Senate briefed participants on the legislative matters scheduled for the ongoing session.