The bills passed by the joint session of Parliament have been sent to President Asif Ali Zardari for final approval.
The Domestic Violence and Protection Bill 2025, the Danish Schools Authority Bill 2025, and the Human Rights Commission Authority Amendment Bill were forwarded to the President for ratification.
Earlier, President Zardari had returned the three bills without approval. Following the removal of the President’s reservations, the bills were re-approved by a joint session of Parliament and have now been sent again for final assent.
It is worth mentioning here that despite strong protests from the opposition, a joint session of Parliament had passed three bills a few days earlier.
During the last joint session of the Parliament, the President’s objections to the Danish Schools Authority Bill and the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Bill were presented. The objections stated that the federal government should consult the provinces before establishing the Danish Schools Authority.
The President also raised concerns about the proposed punishments under the Domestic Violence Bill, calling them vague and recommending that the bill be reconsidered rather than approved in its current form.
However, after detail debate on the bill, Parliament passed the Danish Schools Authority Act 2025, under which the Danish Schools Authority will be established to manage and regulate Danish schools.
The Act will apply to the Islamabad Capital Territory and has been declared effective immediately. Priority in the provision of education will be given to children from low-income families.
The Act also outlines provisions regarding the establishment of the Danish Schools Authority. Under these provisions, the Authority will be a statutory legal entity with the power to enter into contracts and initiate legal proceedings. It will have perpetual succession and an official seal. All Danish schools already in existence will also fall under the jurisdiction of the Authority.
The National Commission for Human Rights Amendment Bill was presented in the joint session by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. PPP member Shazia Marri moved an amendment to the bill, which was supported by the government. Amendments proposed by JUI members Senator Kamran Murtaza and Alia Kamran were rejected. The Parliament later approved the National Commission for Human Rights Amendment Bill 2025.
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