Election law amended as opposition warns of curbs on transparency and court powers
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill allowing members of the National Assembly and the Senate to keep their assets confidential for up to one year, citing security concerns.
The bill, moved by Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Shazia Marri, introduces key amendments to the Elections Act 2017. Under the new law, a lawmaker may request that details of their own or their family’s assets be kept secret if there is a credible threat to their safety.
Once such a request is approved by the National Assembly speaker or the Senate chairman, the Election Commission of Pakistan will be bound to keep the information confidential for up to one year.
The legislation also shifts key powers under election laws from the Supreme Court to the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). It grants the FCC primary authority over appeals, legal interpretation and the resolution of electoral disputes.
As part of the changes, the word “Supreme” has been replaced with “Federal Constitutional Court” in Section 155 of the Elections Act. Amendments were also made to Sections 202, 212 and 232, formally bringing the FCC into these provisions.
According to the bill, the role of the FCC across various legal forums has been clearly defined, with the stated aim of ensuring transparency while balancing fundamental rights.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticised the bill, saying it would transfer routine election matters 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 matter would now be taken to the Constitutional Court,” he said.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar defended the changes, saying many Election Commission matters had already been heard by the Constitutional Court. He said issues such as banning a political party were constitutional in nature and should be decided by the FCC.
Matters 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 a different forum.
After passage in the National Assembly, the bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
18th Amendment debate
During the session, senior PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar raised a point of order, accusing opponents of using the recent Gul Plaza fire in Karachi to criticise the 18th Amendment.
Referring to remarks by Defence Minister and PML-N parliamentary leader Khawaja Asif, Qamar said the fire was being used as an excuse to target the constitutional amendment.
“The Gul 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 centralising powers, saying Pakistan’s strength lay in its federal structure. “Pakistan is a federal country. Do you want to try a new experiment?” he asked.
He also criticised calls to take resources back from provinces. “How can provinces cut funds 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 the House 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 per capita water availability had fallen from more than 5,000 cubic metres in 1951 to 819 cubic metres currently and was projected to drop to 744 cubic metres by 2030, posing serious social and economic risks.
Bills tabled
Several other bills were introduced during the session.
The Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2026, seeking changes to Sections 174B and 174C, was tabled 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 replies, the Ministry of Industries and Production said Pakistan Steel Mills has remained shut since 2015 and that 700 acres had been allocated for a new or revived steel mill. Agreements have been signed with Russia’s Industrial Engineering Company, while most of the mill’s workforce has been laid off.
The Railways Ministry 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 recovered 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 criticised the treatment of former prime minister Imran Khan.
“A 75-year-old person is being seen at Adiala jail,” he said, adding that meetings with lawyers and family members were being restricted.
Calling for dialogue, he said political leaders should sit together and talk. “Release Imran Khan and provide him access,” he said.
The National Assembly session was adjourned until 11am on Thursday.
