The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed "The Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Bill, 2010 and The Pakistan Engineering Council (Amendment) Bill, 2010." Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi moved "The Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Bill, 2010" from the Lower House of the Parliament.
According to statement of objects and reasons of the Bill, Pakistan ratified the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) during April, 1976. The Convention controls and regulates the international trade in species of wild fauna and flora that are endangered due to international trade.
As a Party to the CITES, the Government of Pakistan is required to provide for and regulate (through issuance of permits and, certificates) the import into and export from Pakistan and possession of the covered species of animals and plants.
Pakistan has endeavoured to meet its international obligations through inter alia. Trade Policy. However, the Conference of the Parties, at its fourteenth session held in The Hague (Netherlands) June, 2007 has resolved that each Party must have its domestic legislation to enforce the provisions of the Convention. There is no such legislation in Pakistan to enforce the provisions of the Convention.
The Bill provides for control of trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora with the active participation of the Federal and Provincial Governments. Similarly, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani tabled "The Pakistan Engineering Council (Amendment) Bill, 2010" in the House.
The House passed the Bill unanimously. According to statement and objects and reason of the Bill, it is proposed to consider for approval the amendments promulgated vide Ordinance No XLIX of 2007, for the smooth functioning of Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).