The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s protest and journalists’ walkout against the amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act marred the Senate session on Monday.

Senate Deputy Chairman Syedal Khan Nasir presided over the session. When it began, PTI senators stood up in protest at their seats, chanting slogans against the PECA. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that it was a day for private members’ bills and emphasised that the amendment bill related to the PECA was not on the agenda. Discussions will take place when the bill is presented in the House, he added.

Last week, the National Assembly passed contentious amendments to PECA, which were introduced as a supplementary agenda just one day prior. The assembly suspended its rules to fast-track the bill’s consideration and passage, raising concerns about the urgency behind such actions.

Omar Ayub Khan, the Leader of the Opposition in the NA, criticised the bill, alleging it was designed to further curtail freedom of speech. He expressed concern that the legislation could establish a framework for silencing those advocating for constitutional rights.

The law minister added that the four provinces of Pakistan are like “four brothers” and that they must come together to resolve issues collaboratively.

At one point, Deputy Chairman Nasir instructed JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza to address the issues raised by the journalists.

He added that any national matter would be resolved through consensus and the law minister has made a commitment to the assembly.

PPP Senator Shahadat Awan inquired about the scheduling of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting. In response, the law minister said that the CII Secretariat would convene the meeting. He added that if he were the chairman, he would have already called for a session.

Senator Dinesh Kumar introduced the Nippon Institute for Advanced Sciences Bill 2025. It was referred to the relevant standing committee for further consideration.

Meanwhile, PTI Senator Falak Naz Chitrali pointed out a lack of quorum in the House.

Awan also presented the Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flaura (Amendment) Bill 2024, however, the deputy chairman deferred it for later discussion.

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ANP Senator Umar Farooq presented the committee’s report on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act Amendment Bill 2025. A report on the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill was introduced by the Senate Standing Committee on IT Chairperson Palwasha Khan. Both reports from the standing committees were submitted as supplementary agenda items.

A resolution expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people was unanimously approved by the House. Senator Dinesh Kumar introduced the motion for solidarity with Kashmiris, stating that since there would be no session on February 5.

The resolution emphasised that the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. It asserted that resolving the issue was essential and called for the “repeal of draconian laws in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”