NA extends two ordinances

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly on Monday passed two resolutions, extending the duration of two ordinances for an additional 120 days.

The resolutions passed by the house included, “That the National Assembly resolves to extend the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (IX of 2024) for a further period of one hundred and twenty days with effect from 2nd April, 2025, under proviso to sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”

Another resolution passed by the lower house read, “That the National Assembly resolves to extend the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (X of 2024) for a further period of one hundred and twenty days with effect from 27th April, 2025, under proviso to sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The House referred two legislative bills to the relevant standing committees for further deliberation and consideration.

The bills include the Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at amending the Anti-Dumping Duties Act, 2015, and the Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeking to amend the Extradition Act, 1972.Additionally, the Societies Registration (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (No. XI of 2024) was laid before the House, as required under clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the lower house was informed that IT education has been introduced in 16 institutions across Pakistan, with five specialized courses, including Data Analysis, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence, being actively promoted.

During the session, in response to a question by Aasia Naz Tanoli, Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz Akbar stated that these initiatives are being implemented under the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), with a dedicated budget already allocated.

She further revealed that each student enrolled in these courses receives a stipend of Rs105,000. The programme involves five universities: the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI), the National Skills University (NSU), and NUST’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

The courses are designed for students in their fifth semester, with evening classes to facilitate learning. NAVTTC closely monitors the program, which is currently in its pilot phase. If successful, it will be expanded to schools.

Responding to a question from Syed Rafiullah, Akbar mentioned that discussions regarding launching the program in Malir had taken place with the minister, and updates would be provided to the Assembly.

When questioned by Shehzada Gustasp Khan about higher education in Balochistan, she noted that the province currently lacks a public chartered federal university. However, campuses of two federally chartered universities have been established in the region. She also highlighted that in the first phase, 40 laptops were distributed in Balochistan, followed by 200 more in the second phase.

In response to a question by Shahida Rehmani, Akbar mentioned that NAVTTC has established a clear procedure for laptop distribution, including a flowchart available on its website.