ISLAMABAD, Dec 04 (APP): The Senate on Thursday passed the National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing structural and administrative changes to the 2012 law to bring it in line with the Supreme Court’s PLD 2016 SC 808 judgment.

Moved by Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, the bill replaces broad references to the “Federal Government” with designated divisions responsible for executing functions under the Act. A new definition of “Division concerned” has been inserted to clarify which administrative unit will oversee implementation of specific provisions.

Under the amendments, general administrative matters will fall to the division to which the business of the Act stands allocated, while functions relating to legal or defence matters will now explicitly be handled by the Law and Justice Division and the Defence Division, respectively.

Outdated references to the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas have been removed, and a key new clause—Section 4A—has been added to allow the NCHR chairperson to continue for up to 120 days after expiry of the term or until a new chairperson is appointed, whichever occurs earlier.

Changes have also been made to several provisions to align administrative authority with specific divisions, including amendments to sections 14, 21, 22, 28 and 29 of the original Act.

According to the statement of objects and reasons, the amendments are aimed at ensuring clarity in the exercise of federal authority and were prepared in line with cabinet instructions issued following the Supreme Court ruling.