Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Amendment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission Bill 2016 has been delayed by the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in provincial assembly by requesting the chairperson to discuss it with the house’s committee on law for thoughtfulness however no member of assembly asked for it.

Dr Mehr Taj Roghani, the Deputy spokesperson approved the request. When amendment in bill was being discussed, lawmakers expected the bill to be passed by the house. Bill was nominated in the house on 6^th May, 2016. Law minister Imtiaz Shahid tabled the bill for further negotiation after he chairperson, Dr Mehr Taj Roghani.

To the surprise of lawmakers both from the treasury and the opposition, the minister soon after presenting the bill requested the chair to refer it to the house’s committee on law to consult the opposition.

The house business was mentioned to the related committees for further discussion and for the members if they asked to clear a point. “The lawmakers from the opposition often complain about the passage of laws in haste and without their consultation, so this bill may be referred to the committee to take them on board regarding the proposed amendments,” the law minister said.

He also said that it was essential to table the bill to house committee for any amendment. The bill was put on voting for the house committee. To everyone’s surprise, only one amendment was offered to be made in the 17^th clause of bill by Saleem Khan from PPP. It seemed like opposition had no particular interest in the bill because if they had, there would have been many amendments to be offered.

The current bill has been drafted following the report of lawyer Hamid Khan who is the one of the heads of committee. Chief of PTI, Imran Khan had offered another party to propose amendments in the law.

On Feb 9, this committee was formed to make drastic amendments in the KPEC Act after the declaration of a controversial ordinance; this provoked general Hamid Khan to resign.

Ordinance increased the level of powers of Ehtesab Commission particularly for filing the references and suspect arrests and also in starting the inquiries and investigations.

Later, on May 2, KP governor ended the ordinance and restored the KPEC Act to its older form.

Social welfare minister Aneesa Zaib Tahirkheli scheduled the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016. While, the session has been delayed until next Monday.