The NA conducted an important legislative session and passed several significant bills before adjourning the sitting until 11am on Thursday. Among the approved legislation were the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, and the National Archives (Amendment) Bill 2026.
Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2025
The Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed by majority vote in the NA. The bill clarifies and regularizes legal procedures for citizenship, including birth registration and citizenship acquisition. It also provides guidance for pending applications and cases before the courts.
A notable change in the amendment is the use of the term “parents” instead of “father” on identity documents. This ensures clear interpretation of citizenship and standardizes records nationwide.
Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill
The Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill was also passed in the NA. Following a judicial ruling, the bill assigns policy and financial decisions to the federal cabinet, while administrative powers are transferred to the relevant authority. This change aims to improve cannabis regulation and prevent misuse of Pakistan’s name and emblems.
National Archives and Housing Authority Amendments
The National Archives (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the New Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill were approved. These amendments reduce administrative delays by limiting federal cabinet involvement in minor matters. Relevant authorities will now handle operational decisions directly.
The amendments follow the Supreme Court’s Mustafa Impex judgment, focusing on clear distribution of powers. The bills also replace the term “Federal Government” with “Prime Minister” where necessary.
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The session highlighted the NA’s focus on legislative reforms, administrative efficiency, and strengthening governance. These measures are expected to streamline processes and ensure better policy implementation across Pakistan.
