ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Wednesday sought view from the Interior Ministry on “The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020” (Amendment of Article 140), while observing that further consideration was needed.
The parliamentary panel met with Muhammad Javed Abbasi in the chair, here on Wednesday, and discussed “The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020” (Amendment of Article 140).
Discussing the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020, (Amendment of Article 140) introduced by Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi, the mover told the committee that the intent of the bill was to give constitutional cover to the post of advocate general of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Under Article 140 of the Constitution, the governor appointed the advocate general of a province. However, there was no provision in the Constitution, so far, for appointment of an advocate general for Islamabad.
The committee members supported the bill in principle, but the decision on the bill was deferred till the next meeting, so that input from the Interior Ministry can also be considered.
Senator Farooq H Naek and Senator Musadik Masood Malik highlighted some important aspects of the bill, and said that the bill required thorough consideration and in that regard response of the relevant ministry needed to be sought at the earliest. Chairman of the committee directed the ministry concerned to provide details of appointment procedures of the Advocate General Islamabad, and the summary be presented on which the appointment was made.
The Committee observed that the committee would like to see all the legal and constitutional aspects before deciding the fate of the legislation under consideration. It also directed that views of the Ministry of Interior should also be solicited at the earliest. The committee deferred further consideration on the bill.
Another important bill moved by Senator Farooq H Naek, “The Guardians and Wards (Amendment) Bill, 2019” was also taken into consideration.
The bill, Senator Farooq H Naek, said, seeks to codify and clarify existing case law, and afford protection to mothers in relation to the custody of their children. He said that the bill further purports to codify the hierarchy of preference in relation to custody.
The Committee deferred the bill till the next meeting, wherein, Senator Farooq H Naek will present amended bill in view of discussions by the committee for conclusive discussion.
The meeting was attended by senators, Musadik Malik, Dr Ghous Niazi, Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah, Sana Jamali, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Farooq H Naek, and Zeeshan Khanzada. Secretary Ministry of Law and Justice and other relevant officers were also present.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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