Islamabad, During today’s session at the Parliament House, chaired by Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi, the Senate of Pakistan passed six significant bills focusing on various societal and health issues. This session, dedicated to private members’ business, saw the approval of legislation aimed at addressing rape investigations, emergency medical treatment, hypertension screening, breast-feeding protection, technology institute establishment, and amendments to the national database authority.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the bills passed include “The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2022”, aimed at enhancing the investigation and trial process for rape cases; “The Pakistan Emergency Treatment Coverage Programme Bill, 2023”, which seeks to ensure emergency medical treatment coverage; “The Pakistan Opportunistic Screening and Treatment of Hypertension Bill, 2023”, designed to initiate screening and treatment programs for hypertension; “The Islamabad Capital Territory Protection of Breast-Feeding and Child Nutrition Bill, 2023”, focusing on the protection and promotion of breast-feeding and child nutrition; “The International Institute of Technology, Culture, and Health Sciences Bill, 2024”, for the establishment of a new institute; and “The National Database and Registration Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023”, proposing amendments to enhance the authority’s functioning.
Furthermore, several other bills were introduced during the session and subsequently referred to the respective standing committees for further consideration. This legislative activity underscores the Senate’s commitment to addressing critical issues affecting the citizens of Pakistan through the enactment of comprehensive laws.