ISLAMABAD: Bowing to pressure from its coalition partner, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the federal government on Monday withdrew an ordinance amending laws governing special economic zones, hours after the move triggered sharp criticism in the National Assembly.
According to official sources, a summary sent by the Prime Minister’s Office advised the president to withdraw the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 under Article 89 (2) (b) of the Constitution.
The development followed a walkout by PPP lawmakers earlier in the evening from National Assembly, led by MNA Naveed Qamar, who alleged that the ordinance had been promulgated without the President’s approval.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Qamar termed the move unprecedented and “shameful”, claiming that no ordinance in the country’s legislative history had been enforced without presidential assent.“How can you promulgate an ordinance and put it into effect without getting the president’s approval? This has never happened, not even under dictatorships,” he said, announcing that the PPP could not continue participating in parliamentary proceedings under such circumstances.
Responding to the criticism, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said several bills and ordinances were pending assent with the presidency.
“Just yesterday, we were informed that the president has been pleased to grant assent to those bills, acts and ordinances. This may be part of that process, or it may not be,” he told the House.
Clarifying the government’s position, the minister referred to Article 75 of the Constitution, which states that bills passed by a joint sitting of parliament are deemed to have received presidential assent if no decision is taken within 10 days.
“Even then, we have not notified those bills out of respect for the president,” he added.
Tarar said some legislation, including bills related to universities, was still pending with the presidency and had neither been notified nor would be promulgated.
He assured the House that he would consult relevant authorities and revert to the PPP leadership on the matter
No official notification had been issued by the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the withdrawal of the ordinance at the time of filing this report.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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