President Dr. Arif Alvi has returned over a dozen bills for reconsideration by the parliament, resulting in an indefinite delay in their progression since a new assembly will be formed after the general elections, to be held later this year. The bills were approved by both houses of the parliament towards the end of the PML-N-led government’s term.
Among these bills is the recently proposed amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, aimed at increasing penalties for those found guilty of showing disrespect to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), his companions, and other revered religious figures.
Additional bills that have been sent back include the amendment to the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies, and Books Registration legislation, which seeks to change the term ‘federal government’ with ‘Prime Minister’ wherever mentioned in the law.
Similarly, the Bill for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals aims to shift the jurisdiction over journalist protection from the Ministry of Human Rights to the Ministry of Information. The National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill is also among the returned bills, proposing revisions to the functions of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and changes in its administrative structure to enhance efficiency and facilitate business operations.
Furthermore, a returned bill linked to the 2023 amendment of the Imports and Exports (Control) Bill.
This measure addresses instances of economic difficulty and has been prompted by appeals from the business community and other sectors, seeking temporary relief from import/export-related restrictions.
President Alvi also returned the bill related to the Higher Education Commission (HEC), which seeks to extend the term of the HEC chairman to four years.
The remaining bills that have been sent back include amendments to the Public Sector Commission legislation, the Institute of Management Sciences Bill, the Horizon University Bill, the Federal University Bill, NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Bill, and the National Institute for Technology Bill.
