NA grants 120-day extension to seven ordinances

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday passed a resolution to grant an extension to seven ordinances for a further period of one hundred and twenty days.

The resolution was moved by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar.

The extension was granted under the proviso to sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the official news agency reported.

The ordinances included the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 (No. II of 2023), the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, the Pakistan Postal Services Management Board (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, the National Highway Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 (No. V of 2023), the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 (No. VI of 2023), the Privatisation Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 (No. VII of 2023), and the Establishment of Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Ordinance, 2023 (Ordinance No. VIII of 2023).

Meanwhile, the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression against the people of Palestine.

The resolution was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Shazia Marri. She said that all political parties in the House had signed the resolution.

“The House recognizes this day as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. It reiterates that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and acceptance,” the resolution said.

The resolution “categorically condemns Israel’s war on Palestine, where the latest attack cost 21 lives of Palestinians standing in the line for aid during the holy month of Ramazan, denounces the continued Israeli aggression, which has led to the loss of over 30,000 lives since October 7, 2023.”

It called upon the federal government to play a more proactive role in pushing the international community to enforce a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, five more MNAs elected on reserved seats took oath on Friday. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq administered oath to the women elected on reserved seats.

MNAs who took oath included Naima Kanwal, Asma Arbab Alamgir, Shaheen Shah, Ghazala Anjum and Naeema Kishwer Khan.