Law Ministry drafted 22 laws during last year: Farogh Naseem

Law Ministry drafted a total of twenty two laws over the last one year with the aim to ensure speedy justice to the people and enhance the efficiency of the judicial system.

This was stated by Law Minister Farogh Naseem at a news conference along with Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan and Parliamentary Secretary for Law Malika Bukhari in Islamabad on Wednesday, sharing details of the one year performance of the Law Ministry.

The Law Minister said that seven of the bills have already been passed whilst the remaining seven to eight are before the standing committees or the National Assembly for passage. He said we also introduced eight ordinances.

Farogh Naseem said the Standing Committee on Law today passed the Civil Procedure (Amendment) bill which will ensure speedy trial of civil cases. He said the cases which earlier used to consume thirty to forty years will now be settled in a matter of one or one and a half year under this bill.

The Law Minister said we have also formulated a bill that will ensure issuance of succession certificate to the people in a matter of fifteen days.

He said our Whistle blower act envisages reward of 20 per cent for those who would help recover illegal wealth. He said under this act, the name of information provider will be kept secret. He said the women protection bill will ensure right of women of in heritance.

The Law Minister said there is also a Legal Aid and Justice Authority bill which will provide free legal aid to the poor people including women and children.

He said the Mutual Legal Assistance Bill will regulate the procedure for rendering and soliciting mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

Farogh Naseem said Pakistan Code envisaging eight hundred and forty eight laws have been uploaded on the website of the law ministry and the people now can easily access it. He said this is a first step towards provision of justice to the people at their doorsteps.

He said an app has also been prepared which will contain the archives of the last seventy two years.

The Law Minister said amendments in the NAB laws are also being considered. He said the power of bail will be granted to the trial court under the amendments. In addition it will be ensured that nobody could abuse the plea bargain or voluntary return options.

In her remarks, Firdous Ashiq Awan said the people had voted the PTI to power to break the status quo and bring change in their lives.

She said the law ministry introduced the law reforms in line with the requirements of the nation.

Parliamentary Secretary for Law Malika Malika Ali Bukhari said the law ministry has also prepared a five year women protection plan to provide justice to women.

She said this plan envisages fifty five steps for the welfare of the women folk. He said under this plan, a detailed asset and burn crime bill and Christian divorce bill will also be formulated.