The Senate on Monday unanimously passed the Trade Organizations (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, following its earlier approval by the National Assembly.
The legislation marks a significant development in the legal framework governing Pakistan’s trade bodies and aims to ensure more consistent and effective governance within these organizations.
The bill was presented in the Senate by Senator Shahadat Awan. According to the proposed changes, the two-year tenure for office bearers, as outlined in sub-section (1) of Section 11, will now apply exclusively to those elected after the enactment of the Trade Organizations (Amendment) Act, 2025. This clarification is intended to eliminate confusion surrounding the terms of office and to uphold transparency in trade body elections.
The Senate proceedings highlighted the importance of aligning future elections with the provisions set out in the Trade Organizations (Amendment) Act, 2022. Lawmakers emphasized that doing so will help maintain the smooth functioning and institutional integrity of trade organizations across the country. These include major entities such as chambers of commerce, trade associations, and the national federation.
It was noted during the Senate session that the current provision—specifically sub-section (1A) of Section 11, inserted by the Trade Organizations (Amendment) Act, 2025—was proving disruptive to the operations of trade bodies. Concerns were raised about its adverse impact on the continuity and governance of these organizations.
As a result, the newly passed bill calls for the complete omission of sub-section (1A) from the Trade Organizations Act, 2013, effective from the date of the new amendment’s enactment. This step, lawmakers argued, is necessary to restore clarity and enable smoother transitions during election cycles.
With the passage of this bill in the Senate, Pakistan’s legal framework for trade organizations is set for improved coherence and functionality, reflecting Parliament’s commitment to ensuring that such institutions operate under clear and fair rules.