ISLAMABAD:
The Senate has approved a private member’s bill aimed at empowering a parliamentary committee to manage matters related to the salaries and allowances of parliamentarians.
During Monday’s session, Senator Danesh Kumar presented the Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar raised no objections to the legislation.
Tarar explained that the National Assembly recently delegated similar authority to its House Finance Committee, adding that the bill would establish a uniform policy for both houses.
“The Senate’s House Finance Committee will now have the authority to address financial matters, ensuring parliamentary autonomy in managing its members’ affairs,” he said.
The bill’s purpose is to enhance parliament’s independence in overseeing the financial issues of its members. As stated in the bill, the Senate House Finance Committee will independently review and manage these matters.
In addition, the Senate passed four other bills:
- The National Assembly Secretariat Employees (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Islamabad Rent Restriction (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri’s bill on Diyat was referred to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice. The law minister clarified that while a minimum Diyat limit is defined, there is no maximum cap, allowing heirs and affected parties to negotiate the amount, with courts deciding the final figure.
Senator Mohsin Aziz’s Islamabad Public Health Regulation Amendment Bill, 2025, was also referred to the relevant committee. Additionally, Senator Zehri proposed a resolution to improve consular assistance for Pakistanis imprisoned abroad and facilitate their repatriation.
