ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The federal government on Monday withdrew “Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026” it had promulgated without the approval of President Zardari after displeasure from its coalition partner, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP).
The development comes hours after the latter staged a walkout from the National Assembly to express its displeasure.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif forwarded a summary advising President Zardari to withdraw the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.
In his remarks during the new year’s first National Assembly session, PPP’s Naveed Qamar had not specified which ordinance was promulgated without the president’s approval when he led a walkout by the party. He said they would not participate in proceedings until the situation was addressed.
“For the first time in history, an ordinance was issued without the President’s signature, this didn’t even happen in a dictatorship,” said Syed Naveed Qamar while addressing the session.
Law minister on the ordinance
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, meanwhile, said that nowadays there was an e-office through which files were approved online. “This ordinance was also approved”.
He said the ordinance was considered approved staff to staff adding when signed files were received, this ordinance was not signed. However, he said, it had already been printed.
Tarar said the mistake occurred and was rectified. “When a bill goes from a joint session to the President, the President can keep it for 10 days,” Azam Nazeer Tarar further clarified.
He said under goodwill, these bills were also not notified because the President did not approve them adding Pakistan Peoples’ Party and his party have a good relationship.
After the withdrawal of the ordinance, PPP’s Shazia Marri said the party would now attend Tuesday’s NA session.
