Private Courier Services Regulatory Bill: National Assembly body asks Ministry to revisit draft

National Assembly's Standing Committee on Postal Services discussed a bill relating to establishment of Pakistan Private Courier Services Regulatory Authority and expressed dissatisfaction over the briefing by Postal Services Minister. The Committee met here with Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla in the chair at parliament House on Wednesday and discussed 'The Pakistan Private Courier Services Regulatory Bill, 2012.'
The purpose of the Bill is to establish an authority to handle private courier companies and issue them licenses. The Committee showed concerns over non-availability of an effective and regulatory system for private courier companies in the country. The Committee also expressed dissatisfaction over the briefing of the Minister on the Bill.
Chairman of the Committee Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla directed the Ministry to revisit the draft of the Bill in consultation with Law Ministry and to present again in the next meeting. The Committee also summoned the officials of Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan and owners of private courier companies in next meeting to discuss the draft of the Bill.
According to the Bill, the principal office of the Authority shall be at Islamabad. It may, however, set up as many offices in other parts of the country as it deems necessary. Secretary, ministry of Postal Services shall be the Chairman of the Authority. Secretary may nominate any of the members to work as Acting Chairman in his/her absence to run the normal business of the Regulatory Authority. The members of the Authority would comprise Director General Pakistan Post Office, Senior joint Secretary or Joint Secretary of concerned ministry, joint Secretary Ministry of Law and justice, one representative from private Courier Services to be nominated by the Federal Government and two members from Private sector having background in law, account or administration to be nominated by the Federal Government.