Senate Unanimously Passes Trade Bill 2025

The Senate on Monday, May 19, 2025, delivered unanimous approval to the Trade Organizations (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, following its prior passage by the National Assembly, marking a pivotal legislative shift. Introduced by Senator Shahadat Awan, the bill amends the Trade Organizations (Amendment) Act, 2025, stipulating that the two-year tenure for office bearers under sub-section (1) of section 11 will now apply exclusively to those elected post-enactment.

The revision reinforces adherence to the Trade Organizations (Amendment) Act, 2022, ensuring elections align with its framework to sustain the smooth operation of trade bodies. Lawmakers highlighted that the existing provision has disrupted the functionality of key trade organizations, including federations, chambers, and associations. To resolve this, the bill mandates the removal of sub-section (1A) of section 11 from the Trade Organizations Act, 2013, effective upon the Act’s enactment.

Web context indicates ongoing debates over trade body governance, while posts found on X reflect mixed reactions—some praise the tenure clarity, others worry about implementation challenges. Critically, the narrative of “smooth operation” may overlook potential resistance—web sources note past election disputes, and X sentiment hints at concerns over trade body autonomy, suggesting complex dynamics ahead.