Islamabad:
The Federal Government managed to approve a bill on Friday, amending the Law of Public Officials.
According to the bill of public officials (amendment) 2025, clause 15A was added after clause 15 of the law, which makes it mandatory for public officials from grade 17 to grade 22 to declare all its national and foreign assets.
According to the proposed law, public officials must also reveal domestic and foreign assets and liabilities of their spouses and dependent children. It will be required that the officers present their own details and the assets of their family to the Federal Income Board (FBR). These asset details will be made public.
Previously, on Friday of NA approved a total of nine legislative articles, including six government bills, two bills of private members and a resolution, with a majority vote.
The Government successfully ensured the approval of the Chamber for the Income Tax Law (amendment) 2024, a crucial legislation related to the next federal budget.
Among the other bills sponsored by the approved government were: bill of the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (amendment) 2024, Project of Aypesos Antidumping (amendment) 2025, Project of Citizenship Law of Pakistan (amendment) 2024, draft Law of Transfer of Criminals (amendment) 2025.
In addition, the Chamber also adopted the bills of two private members of the complementary agenda: the bill of commercial organizations (amendment) 2025 and the prohibition of the 2025 Child Marriage Law Project (applicable within the limits of the territory of the capital of Islamabad). All bills were approved with a majority vote, without division.
The Assembly also approved a resolution made by MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, urging the Government to increase the higher age limit for CSS candidates to 35 years, and to allow five attempts for the competitive exam.
The resolution emphasized that qualified applicants were being excluded due to the restrictive age limit and a limited number of opportunities.
Speaking at a point of order, PTI Mna Asad Qaiser raised concerns about the lack of clear government policy about tobacco cultivation. “Farmers are deeply worried. The matter must be sent to the relevant permanent committee,” he said.
In response, the Federal Minister of Law and Justice assured the Chamber that the Government was aware of the difficulties of the farmers. “International market fluctuations impact prices, but we will make sure that tobacco producers are not improperly charged,” he said.
The session was then postponed by vice president Zahid Akram Durrani until Monday at 5 pm
Wheat acquisition
The Government would not obtain wheat this season and the Storage and Agricultural Services Corporation of Pakistan (Passco) would be closed, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, informed the National Assembly on Friday.
Speaking during the time of the question, the minister said that the farmers who could store their products in their own stores would be compensated. He added that there were no restrictions on the movement or transport of wheat throughout the country.
“Wheat currently works well in the open market, which benefits farmers and improves their income,” the minister told the Chamber in response to a question. “Farmers who can store their products in their own stores will be compensated,” he added.
