ISLAMABAD: The Senate, the upper house of the parliament, on Wednesday, unanimously passed five government bills, including the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Repeal) Bill, 2026, which seeks to repeal the law related to the PIA’s privatisation following the completion of the national airline’s privatisation process.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif moved the said bill in the Senate on the maiden day of its 362nd session presided over by Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani.
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill, Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) was “corporatised” by the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) Act 2016. “The purpose was to facilitate its privatisation—the validity period under PIAC Conversion Act was extended by the federal cabinet to June 30, 2026, under which, the seven immoveable properties were duly transferred from PIACL to PIAHCL (Pakistan International Airlines Holding Company Limited) — now, the PIAC Conversion Act has fulfilled its purpose and repeal of the said Act is one of the conditions precedent to ensure successful divestment of PIACL,” reads the statement.
Moreover, the Conditions Precedent have been enshrined under the Cabinet-approved Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement (SPSA), which have been executed by all stakeholders, the statement adds.
“Therefore, in accordance with the decision of the federal government and in compliance with the provisions of the SPSA, the repeal of the said Act is sought through introduction of the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Repeal) Act, 2026,” reads the Statement of Objects and Reasons.
Moreover, the House passed the Motion Pictures (Amendment) Bill, 2024, presented by Information Minister Atta Tarar, that mainly seeks to “resolve the procedural issues” of Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) by amending the Motion Pictures Ordinance, 1979.
Other three bills; the Pakistan Tourist Guides (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Pakistan Hotels and Restaurants (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Travel Agencies (Amendment) Bill, 2026, all moved by Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Rana Sanaullah, also received the House’s nod. These bills seek to replace the words “federal government” with “appropriate authority” in the related legislative drafts.
Conspicuously, all the five bills received the Senate’s approval without opposition apparently due to the reason that they were already passed by the relevant Senate standing committees.
Meanwhile, Sanaullah said, the federal government had accepted 37 of the 38 demands raised by Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), and that the only unresolved issue concerned refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly.
These seats, he said, cannot be abolished through executive orders.
The Senate was adjourned till Friday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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