Transplantation of human organs: Nadra's proposal of introducing chip in CNIC discussed

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) informed a parliamentary panel on Thursday that a chip can be installed in the computerized national identity card which will be indicative of the fact whether or nor the CNIC holder wants to donate his/her organs.

The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, which met here with Senator Javed Abbasi, discussed "The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Bill, 2018" introduced by Senator Ateeq Sheikh.

About the proposal of introducing a chip in the computerized national identity card (CNIC), the committee directed NADRA to come up with a simpler mechanism which is easier to comprehend by the general people.

The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Bill, 2018 has been reported by the Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination and has also received approval of Council of Islamic Ideology and Federal Shariat Court.

The committee discussed "The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (insertion of Article 253A)" introduced by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed regarding permission to foreigners to purchase land in any part of Pakistan.

The committee members were of the view that this should be brought as an independent law and not as a constitutional amendment so that the constitutional amendment is not disturbed.

The committee sought information as to what is the current mechanism of granting permission to foreign nationals or foreign companies and it was subsequently decided to call secretary interior and senior officials of provincial boards of revenue, Board of Investment and Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in the next meeting to discuss whether it falls under federal or provincial domain and how many foreigners currently have land in Pakistan.

Regarding the matter of sit-in of the employees of State Life Insurance Corporation for their demands, the committee heard the general manager of the Corporation and decided to call Ministry of Commerce and SECP to discuss the matter.