The Upper House of the Parliament, the Senate, on Friday passed the Iqbal Academy (Amendment) Bill, 2026 with a majority vote after clause-by-clause consideration, while a number of other legislations including National Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority (Amendment) Bill were introduced in the House amid heated exchanges between the government and opposition legislators.
The Iqbal Academy Bill was introduced in the House by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on behalf of Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the Iqbal Academy Pakistan was established in 1951 under the Iqbal Academy Act and later re-enacted through the Iqbal Academy Ordinance, 1962.
The academy is a statutory body of the Government of Pakistan and serves as a centre of excellence for Iqbal studies.
The statement said that, in pursuance of instructions issued by the Cabinet Division on May 13, 2025, regarding the replacement of the term “Federal Government” with the appropriate authority in relevant laws and rules, the academy proposed amendments to certain provisions of the Iqbal Academy Ordinance, 1962.
The proposed amendments were subsequently vetted by the Ministry of Law and Justice. Later, the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) approved the amendments, which were ratified by the federal cabinet in its meeting held on September 18, 2025.
Bills referred for review
The lawmakers referred six bills to the relevant committees for further discussion and review.
The bills were introduced in the House also by Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on behalf of Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.
The proposed laws included amendments to the National Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority Act, 2022, the Centre for Clinical Psychology Centres Act, 1983, and the National Textile University Ordinance, 2002.
The House also received bills seeking amendments to the Area Study Centres Act, 1975, the NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Act, 2012, and the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, 2023.
Meanwhile, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry informed the House that gas supply to Village Haji Chattha, Sakran, in Lasbela District, was disconnected due to non-payment of bills.
Responding to a question, he said gas connections would be restored if consumers made at least 50 percent payment of the outstanding dues. He said Village Haji Chattha was provided gas supply during 1993-94 with approximately 246 customers. However, currently only 48 customers are live/active, while the remaining connections have been disconnected, mostly due to non-payment of bills.
Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the village falls at the tail end of TBS Sakran, which supplies gas to approximately 4,000 customers. The problem worsens when customers located near the TBS use compressors/suction machines, depriving consumers at the tail end of the gas supply.
As per SSGCL records, only active/live customers are being issued gas bills, while inactive/disconnected customers are not being billed, he added.
He said SSGCL had already dispatched a team to the affected adjoining areas to address the issue and educate residents to avoid using compressors/suction machines in order to maintain balanced gas availability for all consumers in the area.
Responding to a question regarding low gas pressure, he informed the House that it was a different issue. He said a separate gas pipeline had recently been laid for Bhara Kahu, Islamabad, to address the low gas pressure issue two months ago.
Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also assured full institutional support to parliamentary committees working on issues related to crimes against women.
The minister said the government will provide all necessary assistance whenever a committee seeks input from any minister or government department. He added efforts to strengthen the justice system will continue to receive full support from the government.
He said cooperation between the government and parliamentary committees is important for better governance and timely delivery of justice. He also assured that all necessary steps will be taken in this regard.
Senators stressed the need for stronger measures to improve conviction rates in cases involving crimes against women.
Senator Sherry Rehman, who was presiding over the house proceedings in the absence of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate directed the Senate Secretary to review the progress of cases and obtain detailed reports from all provinces regarding investigations, prosecutions, and conviction rates.
Meanwhile, Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said prisoners in jails are treated strictly in accordance with established prison rules. Responding to a point of order in the Senate, he said judicial custody operates under a separate legal framework and is not subject to external influence.
He added that all inmates are provided medical facilities in line with jail regulations.
The minister explained that medical emergencies are addressed immediately, regardless of the time of day, stating that urgent cases cannot be delayed and are handled as soon as they arise.
“If any prisoner requires urgent medical care, jail authorities are obligated to respond without delay,” he said.
Rejecting concerns regarding the timing or intent behind prisoner transfers or treatment decisions, he said such actions are carried out strictly under legal procedures.
He further said that jail authorities maintain proper records of all procedures, including medical reports and facility provisions, which are subject to official scrutiny.
Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said prisoners are provided healthcare, food, and other basic facilities under standard operating procedures, with no compromise on their rights.
He added that the government ensures all necessary arrangements within legal limits and that the prison system functions in accordance with established legal and administrative rules.
He also cautioned against politicising matters related to judicial custody, stressing that all actions are taken strictly in line with the law and jail manuals.
Hot words exchanged
The legislators belonging to the government and the Opposition exchanged hot words during the session as the treasury pushed its agenda.
Senator Abid Sher Ali was locked in a heated debate with Senator Attaul Haq Darvish after which the chair adjourned the session to meet again on Monday at 5:00 pm.
