Report: Parliamentary Reporter ANI :
**ISLAMABAD:** The Senate session, chaired by Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, began at 11:25 am on October 19. The House held Question Hour, considered standing committee reports and discussed legislation, security and public issues.
Two bills concerning Area Study Centres and Centres for Clinical Psychology were passed, while the Inter-Boards Coordination Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Islamabad Capital Territory Private Educational Institutions (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were referred to standing committees.
**Blocked CNICs and Passport Fees**
Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhry told the House that 8,829 identity cards had been blocked in Balochistan’s Rakhshan and Makran divisions, which have a combined population of 2.9 million. He said 138,166 Afghan nationals’ identity cards had been blocked across the province. He also reported criminal proceedings against 100 NADRA employees following complaints received from Saudi Arabia and cited a 64 per cent decline in illegal overseas travel.
Senator Abid Sher Ali called for a reduction in passport fees and raised concerns over electricity-related issues and restrictions on overseas travel in cases involving allegedly false FIRs.
**Debate on KP Emergency and Governor’s Rule**
Government and opposition senators exchanged views on the imposition of emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PML-N senators Rana Sanaullah and Afnanullah Khan defended the government’s position, stressing the need for political unity against terrorism and supporting the measures taken in the province.
PTI senators, including Gurdeep Singh, Aun Abbas, Falak Naz Chitrali and Mashal Azam Yousafzai, opposed the measures, alleging that they undermined the province’s political mandate and democratic rights. They also raised concerns over detentions, alleged forced disappearances and the implementation of the National Action Plan.
Senator Rana Sanaullah urged all political parties to support the armed forces in combating terrorism, while opposition members called for greater clarity on the justification and implementation of the emergency measures.
**Lowari Tunnel Safety Concerns**
PPP Senator Talha Mahmood highlighted safety concerns at the Lowari Tunnel, saying inadequate lighting had contributed to three accidents. He called for the matter to be referred to a Senate committee and raised concerns over spending on Chitral’s road infrastructure.
Session Adjourned
The Senate session was adjourned at 2:55 pm and scheduled to reconvene on Friday, October 23, at 10:30 am.
