Pakistan’s National Assembly passes bill allowing lawmakers to keep asset details secret citing safety concerns

Pakistan’s National Assembly passes bill allowing lawmakers to keep asset details secret citing safety concerns

• Pakistan Assembly passed a bill to withhold asset details for safety reasons.
• Bill moves election dispute powers from Supreme Court to Federal Constitutional Court
• PTI opposed the bill, citing transparency concerns and Imran Khan's limited access.

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Pakistan’s National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Elections Amendment Bill, 2026, allowing lawmakers to withhold details of their personal and family assets from public disclosure if such publication is deemed a threat to their safety. The bill faced opposition from jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Under existing law, members of the National Assembly, Senate, and provincial assemblies must submit detailed statements of assets and liabilities, including those of spouses and dependent children, to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by December 31 each year. Section 138 of the Elections Act, 2017, requires the ECP to publish these statements in the official gazette.

The new amendment allows parliamentarians to submit a written request to the Speaker of the National Assembly or the Senate Chairman to prevent public disclosure if it “poses a serious threat to the life or safety” of the member or their family. The exemption can be granted for up to one year, provided the member submits a complete and truthful declaration to the ECP confidentially.

“The proposed amendment is to ensure a balanced approach between transparency and the protection of individual rights. While the publication of statements of assets and liabilities serves a vital role in promoting public accountability, enhancing trust in public office, and ensuring good governance, it is recognised that unrestricted or excessive disclosure could potentially compromise the personal security and privacy of parliamentarians and their families,” the bill’s objectives note.

Expansion of Federal Constitutional Court powers

The bill also amends Sections 155, 202, 212, and 232 of the Elections Act, replacing references to the “Supreme” Court with the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. This formally shifts key powers under election laws to the FCC, including appeals, legal interpretation, and resolution of electoral disputes.

“If the Election Commission orders a re-poll at 20 polling stations, this matter would now be taken to the Constitutional Court,” PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said, criticizing the bill. “Such cases did not require constitutional interpretation.”

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar defended the changes, noting that many ECP matters already fall under the FCC’s jurisdiction. He added that issues such as banning a political party or matters related to floor-crossing were constitutional in nature and required FCC oversight.

Parliamentary debate and opposition

The bill, originally moved last year by PPP lawmakers Shazia Marri and Syed Naveed Qamar, was previously opposed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI. This time, only PTI opposed it. During Wednesday’s session, Syed Naveed Qamar criticized linking recent incidents, such as the Gul Plaza fire, to the 18th Amendment, warning against centralizing powers and stressing Pakistan’s federal structure.

“The Gul Plaza fire was used as an excuse to target the 18th Amendment. The issue of the fire was deliberately linked to this constitutional amendment,” Qamar said.

“Pakistan is a federal country. Do you want to try a new experiment?” PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan criticized the political environment, citing the restricted access of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to family and legal meetings:

“A 75-year-old person is being seen at Adiala jail. Meetings with lawyers and family members are being restricted. Political leaders should sit together and talk. Release Imran Khan and provide him access,” he said.

(With agency inputs)