The National Assembly of Pakistan Gazette
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The National Assembly of Pakistan Gazette May 2014 Rajab, 1435 A.H. Contents Legislative Business 1 Calls On 4 Speakers Conference 6 Committees Meetings 11 Foreign Visits & Delegations 20 Other News 22 Perspective 26 M a y 2 0 1 4 R a j a b 1 4 3 5 Chief Editor’s Note In the National Assembly, April was a busy month. It can be construed from the legislative business performed during this month. Two bills were passed while one government and ten private member bills were introduced in the National Assembly. Besides, two ordinances were laid and four resolutions were passed during the said month. However, the most important political activity at Parliament House was the successful hosting of 17th Speakers‟ Conference by the National Assembly of Pakistan. During the Conference, the Presiding Officers of the country's legislatures critically deliberated on an extensive agenda, pertaining to the legal, administrative & procedural business. They reviewed the implementation status of the 16- Point Agenda of the previous 16th Conference and also discussed the 11 issues, as raised in the current Conference Agenda. In its deliberations, the delegates had fruitful exchange of ideas on numerous issues, including Points of Order, reporting of expunged remarks and the sustained efforts in strengthening parliamentary institutions. The Conference resolved to institutionalize the parliamentary practice of “Zero Hour” to facilitate the Members so that the Points of Order could be raised as per rules only. The Conference also stressed on strengthening the institutional capacity of Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) for much more improved delivery of services by the parliamentarians to the people of Pakistan. Moreover, need for a Parliamentary TV was felt and discussed. It was informed by the Honorable Speaker of National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq that the Parliament of Pakistan would host the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's next Conference in 2015. The delegates welcomed the move and assured joint support to make the international event a success story. Another important event was the visit of the President of German Bundestag (Parliament), Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert along with a Parliamentary Delegation arrived in Islamabad on 29th April, 2014 on a 3-days official visit to Pakistan. The President of German Bundestag visited Pakistan on the invitation of Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. During various official meetings, the matters pertaining to enhance cooperation between the National Assembly of Pakistan and German Bundestag and possibilities of economic cooperation between both the countries were discussed. President of German Bundestag also addressed Members of Pak- German Friendship Group. All these events portray a healthy picture of democracy in Pakistan which is becoming strong day by day. Thank You Ch. Mukhtar Ahmed May 2014 Rajab 1435 LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS Session National Assembly was summoned by the relevant field in line with the procedure President to meet on Monday, the 24th adopted for appointment in judiciary. March 2014 at 4.00 p.m. This is the 10th Presently FST does not have power to spend its budget independently, therefore, there is Session of the First Parliamentary Year of th need to make it financially autonomous. the 14 National Assembly. The Session Presently Secretary, Law & Justice Division th was prorogued on Tuesday, 8 April 2014. is Principal Accounting Officer of FST. FST The important legislative business of the does not have the power to get its 10th Session during the April 2014 is orders/judgments implemented, therefore, summarized herewith: appellants approach respective High Courts for implementation of the A. Bills orders/judgments of FST, thus, creating extra burden for the High Courts. Thus, Bill Passed provision of such power for FST would Two bills were passed by the National not only make it an effective judicial Assembly: forum but also reduce the burden of the respective High Courts. 1. The Protection of Pakistan Act, 2014 The Bill provides for protection against Government Bills Introduced waging of war against Pakistan, Only one bill was introduced by the prevention of acts threatening the security government in the National Assembly or Pakistan and for speedy trial of during the month of April, 2014: offences falling in the Schedule annexed to the Bill and for matters connected 1. The State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) therewith or incidental thereto. Act, 2014 The purpose of amendments in the SBP Act 2. The Service Tribunals (Amendment) Act, 1956 is to bring the existing legislation in 2014 conformity with the international best Some of the provisions of Federal Service practices of a modern central bank. Tribunal Act, 1973 are ultra vires to the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Private Members Bills Introduced Pakistan, 1973 as held by Honourable Ten bills were introduced by private Supreme Court of Pakistan in its members in 10th Session of National judgment dated 25.03.2013 in Assembly: Constitution Petition No.53/2007. Judicial procedure is involved in FST cases, 1. The Constitution (Twenty-Second therefore, it is imperative that Amendment) Act, 2014 appointments of Chairman and Members, As per Article 25 of the Constitution FST should commensurate with discrimination is not permissible. Even qualifications and experience in the otherwise every citizen of Pakistan has equal May 2014 Rajab 1435 1 political rights as per various Articles of the amended to meet their concerns. The Constitution. Our country's economy has amended bill entails that every agreement always been considerably supported by between landlord and tenant shall be overseas Pakistanis, whose allegiance to presented before the Controller for record Pakistan should not be in doubt. It has been keeping. Any payments related to the a long-standing demand of the overseas tenancy agreement shall be made through Pakistanis that there should be no cross cheques or with an official impediment in their way to run for elections receipt/acknowledgement. The rents of for the Parliament. They are deeply residential and non-residential buildings concerned with events in Pakistan and are shall be annually increase by ten percent keen to play an effective role and want to automatically unless the parties decide to the contribute to national cause. Therefore, contrary in writing. For dispute resolution through proposed amendment in Article between the landlord and tenant there shall 63(l)(c), the constitutional bar on the dual be a Mediation Council to be presided by the nationality holders to be members of the President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce Parliament is required to be lifted. or his nominee as its Convenor. A representative of the tenant and the landlord 2. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2014 will both constitute as members of the Section 489F was added to check the council. The Controller, before proceeding menace of issuing cheques without making with a case shall refer it to the Mediation arrangements of funds for honouring such Council. In case of no settlement, the cheques by their bankers. However, Controller shall proceed with the case. In deterrent effect of section 489F is losing its case of a settlement, the order passed by the importance where the amount payable Controller in accordance with the decision through cheques amount is in millions of of the Medication Council shall be rupees. Consequently, the punishment is considered final. neither proportionate to amount of cheque and even where there amounts in millions of 4. National Air Transportation Safety Board rupees, makers of such cheques prefer to Act, 2014 stay in prisons instead of showing any This law provides for setting up an authority interest in repayment of their loans or other answerable to the public through the liabilities, etc., during business transactions. parliament that will have the expertise and Thus, it is necessary to provide more the power to investigate, report and effective punishment proportionate to recommend the changes that need to be amount of cheques so that section 489F made to ensure appropriate safety should remain an effective measure to mechanisms for prevention of air accidents establish financial discipline and fulfillment as well as to determine compensation and of financial liabilities as the civil claims are ensure payment of such compensation not suitable remedy due to lengthy litigation within reasonable time alter proper subordinate judiciary level. investigations and inquiries. 3. Islamabad Rent Restriction (Amendment) 5. Acid and Burn Crime Bill, 2014 Act, 2014 Acid throwing & burn crimes are increasing There is a decade old demand of tenants & year by year. Hundreds of women and landlords in the Federal Capital to have the children fall victim to this horrendous crime, Islamabad Rent Restriction Ordinance, 2001 with no possibility to seek justice and May 2014 Rajab 1435 2 support. Due to the socioeconomic 7. National Database and Registration circumstances pertaining to victims, the fear Authority (Amendment) Act, 2014 and stigma they are facing as well as the Since this House has unanimously passed highly complex nature of acid & burn the resolution on 04-03-2014 to the effect injuries, a specific and comprehensive that National Identity Cards be provided to legislation is needed. This will result in the citizens free of cost in the country, perpetrators facing effective deterrent, therefore the proposed amendments have victims accessing and obtaining justice, become indispensable availing free relevant medical and psycho- social rehabilitation services. 8. The Representation of the People It is imperative to redress a crime, which (Amendment) Bill, 2014 constitutes one of the most heinous Women are prevented from casting their violations of human rights. We need to votes in most of the areas in the country ensure the protection and dignified life of during election to the National Assembly Pakistani citizens within the spirit of the and Provincial Assemblies etc. in this way, international Conventions signed and half of the population of the country is ratified by the Pakistani state.