NA session participation: PPP panel to hold crucial meeting today

ISLAMABAD: In a dramatic turn of events, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) parliamentary party is set to hold an urgent meeting Tuesday (Jan 13) to decide whether to take part in the ongoing National Assembly session, amid a storm of controversy surrounding the issuance of an ordinance without the President’s signature.

The PPP, a key ally in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition, made a dramatic exit from the National Assembly session on Monday.

According to some PPP leaders, the party has serious objections to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Ordinance, which it claims was issued without the President’s signature.

PPP leaders emphasized that the government has flagrantly bypassed constitutional and legal procedures, pointing out that no ordinance has ever been issued without the President’s approval.“We will not remain silent spectators to this constitutional violation, no matter what,” they declared, signalling that the party is prepared to take a firm stand on the issue.

Speaking to the media, former Prime Minister and senior PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf condemned the move, calling for the exposure of those responsible for what he described as an unconstitutional act.

He said the issuance of the ordinance was a serious breach of constitutional procedures, raising concerns over its potential to undermine democratic norms.

Ashraf also urged the Speaker of the National Assembly and Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to take immediate action in response to the controversy, warning that such actions could destabilize the already fragile unity within the government coalition.

The PPP’s parliamentary panel is set to discuss the broader implications of the ordinance, with a focus on the party’s ongoing objections to various government policies.

Sources within the PPP revealed that one of the main issues to be raised in the meeting will be the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Ordinance/Act of 2012.

The party maintains that the ordinance, issued without the President’s signature, infringes on provincial rights and raises significant concerns about tax implications.

The sources further emphasized that the PPP’s stance is firmly based on its commitment to protecting provincial rights, as enshrined in the 18th Amendment to Pakistan’s Constitution.

Any attempt to undermine the Constitution, they warned, including issuing ordinances without the President’s approval, will be resisted vigorously.

Additionally, the sources indicated that the PPP has voiced concerns over the federal government’s efforts to phase out the tax-free status for new SEZs, a reform driven by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

While the government argues that the changes are necessary to boost federal tax collection, the PPP fears that they could lead to greater centralization of fiscal power, potentially altering the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and negatively impacting provincial finances.

The PPP’s decision on whether to attend the ongoing National Assembly session will largely depend on these critical constitutional and fiscal concerns, with party leaders stressing the need for a transparent and consultative approach to governance.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026