ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Wednesday passed a key legislative bill allowing members of the National Assembly and Senate to keep their assets confidential for up to one year due to security concerns. The bill, moved by Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Shazia Marri, introduces amendments to the Elections Act 2017 and has sparked significant debate within Pakistan’s political landscape.
Under the new law, lawmakers can request confidentiality of their own or their family members’ asset details if they face a credible threat to their safety. Once approved by the National Assembly speaker or Senate chairman, the Election Commission of Pakistan will be legally bound to keep the information confidential for a maximum period of one year. Supporters of the bill argue it balances transparency with the right to personal security.
Another major feature of the legislation is the transfer of key election-related powers from the Supreme Court to the Federal Constitutional Court. The amendments grant the FCC primary authority over election appeals, legal interpretation and the resolution of electoral disputes. As part of this shift, the term Supreme Court has been replaced with Federal Constitutional Court in multiple sections of the Elections Act, including Sections 155, 202, 212 and 232.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticised the move, warning that routine election matters would now be unnecessarily brought before the Constitutional Court. He argued that issues such as re-polling at specific polling stations do not require constitutional interpretation.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar defended the amendments, stating that many Election Commission matters are constitutional in nature and have already been heard by the Constitutional Court. He added that cases involving party bans and floor-crossing should logically fall under the FCC to maintain legal consistency.
The bill will now be sent to the Senate for further consideration. During the session, heated discussions also took place over the 18th Amendment, the Indus Waters Treaty, and the country’s worsening water crisis. Lawmakers raised concerns about federalism, provincial resources, Pakistan Railways land encroachments, and the prolonged shutdown of Pakistan Steel Mills.
The session concluded with calls for political dialogue and concerns over the treatment of former prime minister Imran Khan, before the National Assembly was adjourned until Thursday morning.
