In a continuation of the precedent it set on Wednesday, the government on Friday passed four bills in the upper house of the parliament as the opposition kept protesting against the formal procedure not being followed. The legislation passed by the Senate included the National Accountability Amendment Bill and the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill. The Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Bill was also passed.
The opposition’s main objection was that bills had not been scrutinised by the standing committees, which is a standard procedure before any bills are presented before the Parliament.
Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari presented the bill for the protection of journalists and media professionals, which she claimed has been drafted in consultation with journalist bodies.
Senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader and member of the Senate Sherry Rehman said that the opposition was not opposed to the journalist protection bill but wanted to ensure that the Standard procedures were followed before the bill was passed.
Law Minister Dr. Farogh Naseem presented the NAB bill and Minister for State Ali Mohammed Khan introduced bills about the Higher Education Commission. All the bills were passed by a majority that included a six-member group led by Senator Dilawar Khan.
President Arif Alvi will now sign the bills before they become law.
