Special Economic Zones ordinance withdrawn after PPP protest

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The government has taken a major decision by approving the withdrawal of the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance 2026.

Under Article 89(2)(b) of the Constitution, the president has been advised to withdraw the ordinance.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has signed the summary for the withdrawal of the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance.

It is pertinent to note that the ordinance was withdrawn after it was found to be inconsistent with the national policy.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office has issued a notification, formally enforcing the decision to withdraw the SEZ Amendment Ordinance.

National Assembly session extended till 23 January 2026

Earlier, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had staged a walkout from the National Assembly following the promulgation of the ordinance, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had convened a meeting of the party’s parliamentary party on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

Speaking on the floor of the House, PPP leader Naveed Qamar said that the primary responsibility of parliament was legislation, but for the first time the government had enforced the Special Economic Zones Ordinance without presidential approval.

“This law has no legal standing. Under these circumstances, we cannot be part of this House,” he said.

Responding to the protest, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar urged PPP members to listen to his clarification, saying the matter circulating on social media had been taken into notice.