Senate passes Iqbal Academy (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Senate on Friday passed the Iqbal Academy (Amendment) Bill, 2026 through a majority vote after completing a detailed clause-by-clause consideration.

The bill was moved in the House by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary on behalf of Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi.

According to the statement of objects and reasons, the Iqbal Academy Pakistan was originally founded in 1951 under the Iqbal Academy Act and was later reconstituted through the Iqbal Academy Ordinance, 1962.

It is a statutory institution under the Government of Pakistan and functions as a centre of excellence for research and scholarship on Allama Iqbal.

The statement further explained that, in line with instructions issued by the Cabinet Division on May 13, 2025, which directed the replacement of the term “Federal Government” with the relevant competent authority in various laws and rules, the academy suggested amendments to certain sections of the 1962 Ordinance.

These proposed changes were subsequently reviewed and cleared by the Ministry of Law and Justice. After that, the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) granted approval, which was later endorsed by the federal cabinet in its meeting held on September 18, 2025.

Meanwhile, six other bills were introduced in the Senate during the same session. These included The National Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026, The Centre for Psychology Centres (Amendment) Bill, 2026, The National Textile University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, The Area Study Centres (Amendment) Bill, 2026, The NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and The Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Chair subsequently referred all the newly introduced bills to the relevant standing committees for further deliberation. The session was then adjourned, with the House set to meet again on Monday evening.