Islamabad, July 3, 2026 — The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce met today at Parliament House under the Chairmanship of Mr. Muhammad Jawed Hanif Khan. The Committee considered various legislative and policy matters, including the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Insurance Bill, 2026, and the Trade Organizations (Third Amendment) Bill, 2026. It also received briefings from the Secretary, Ministry of Commerce on the impact of regional conflicts on Pakistan's international trade and on issues relating to the import of tea.

The Convener of the Sub-Committee presented the report on the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Insurance Bill, 2026 and The Trade Organizations (Third Amendment), Bill, 2026. During the deliberations, the Chairman observed that the extent of copyright protection for literary works used for educational purposes in schools should be clearly defined. The Ministry informed the Committee that the matter is adequately covered under Section 57 of the proposed legislation, with which the Chairman concurred. The Committee held a detailed and comprehensive discussion on the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and scrutinized its provisions. After thorough deliberations the Committee recommended the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for passage by the National Assembly.

The Committee was also briefed on The Insurance Bill, 2026, which seeks to replace the existing insurance law after more than 25 years. The Ministry informed the Committee that the proposed legislation aims to address regulatory gaps, promote the development of the insurance market, strengthen the supervisory and regulatory powers of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and align the legal framework with contemporary requirements. The Bill further provides enhanced safeguards for policyholders, introduces dispute resolution through the Federal Insurance Ombudsperson, allows for third-party evaluations under the SECP, and establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for insurance companies, including provisions relating to the management of assets and liabilities. The Committee undertook an in-depth examination of The Insurance Bill, 2026, and reviewed its provisions extensively. Following detailed deliberations, the Committee recommended The Insurance Bill, 2026 for passage by the National Assembly.

The Committee deferred consideration of the Trade Organizations (Third Amendment) Bill, 2026 due to the non-attendance of the Mover of the Bill.

The Committee received a detailed briefing from the Secretary, Ministry of Commerce on the impact of regional conflicts in Afghanistan, Iran, and the Middle East on Pakistan's international trade. The Committee was informed that the prevailing geopolitical situation has significantly disrupted regional supply chains, increased maritime and air freight costs, adversely affected exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Central Asian Republics (CARs), and created challenges for Pakistan's import and export sectors. The Ministry further apprised the Committee of the Government's ongoing measures to mitigate these challenges, including the diversification of shipping routes, enhancement of air cargo operations, facilitation of trade through alternative corridors, and sustained engagement with regional partners to ensure the continuity of trade and strengthen the resilience of Pakistan's international commerce.
The Committee meeting concluded with a note of thanks from the Chair to the Members for their valuable participation.
The meeting was attended by MNAs, Mr. Muhammad Numan, Ms. Shaista Pervaiz, Ms. Kiran Haider, Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb, Mr. Farhan Chishti, and Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani in person. The senior officers from Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Law & Justice, SECP, and National Assembly Secretariat were also present in the meeting.