PTI's one year performance: Farogh Naseem says law ministry drafted 22 laws

NA Standing Committee approves civil procedure amendment bill: Farogh Naseem.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Farogh Naseem said on Wednesday that the Ministry of Law and Justice (MoJ) drafted 22 laws over the last year with an aim to ensure provision of speedy justice for the general public and enhance the efficiency of the judicial system.

Naseem held a news conference in Islamabad along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and Parliamentary Secretary for Law Malika Bukhari.

The minister shared details of the last one year while outlining performance of the law ministry.

He said that seven of the bills have already been passed whilst the remaining seven to eight were before the standing committees or the National Assembly for passage. He said the ministry has also introduced eight ordinances.

Naseem said the Standing Committee on Law on Wednesday passed the Civil Procedure (Amendment) bill that would ensure speedy trial of civil cases.

He said the cases which earlier used to consume 30 to 40 years would now be settled in a matter of a year or a year and a half under the new bill.

The law minister said we have also formulated a bill that would 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 would be kept secret. He said the women protection bill would ensure right of women of in heritance.

Naseem said there was also a Legal Aid and Justice Authority bill that would provide free legal aid to the poor people including women and children.

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

Naseem said the Pakistan Code envisaging 848 laws have been uploaded on the website of the law ministry and the people now can easily access it. He said this was a first step towards provision of justice to the people at their doorsteps.

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

He said amendments in the NAB laws were also being considered and that the power of bail would be granted to the trial court under the amendments. In addition, it would 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 55 steps for the welfare of the women folk. He said under this plan, a detailed asset and burn crime bill and Christian divorce bill would also be formulated.