Pakistani Senate Unanimously Passes Six Private Bills

The Senate in Pakistan unanimously passed six private members' bills, including amendments to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, Criminal Laws, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, and a prohibition on child employment in Islamabad. Three other bills were deferred at the request of their movers, including amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, while a bill to establish Fatima University of Science and Technology in Multan was referred to a committee. Senator Sarmad Ali withdrew his bill on regulating social media for age-restricted users. Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics decided to summon the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue after unsatisfactory explanations concerning the deployment of Punjab Rangers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over a Rs200 billion revenue shortfall. The committee also discussed the investigation into the murder of Senator Saifullah Abro’s family members and highlighted concerns about life threats to parliamentarians and alleged donkey meat consumption in Islamabad. In Texas, the Senate quickly passed the majority of bills in the second special session called by Governor Greg Abbott, focusing on flood-related legislation and other priorities, while the House had initially blocked proceedings by Democrats fleeing the state but later returned to quorum.