Islamabad, The Senate Standing Committee on Interior, led by Chairman Senator Mohsin Aziz, gathered at the Parliament House to discuss several significant legislative matters.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting focused on the “Rehriban (Street Vendors) Livelihood Protection Bill 2023” proposed by Senator Sania Nishtar and “The National Database and Registration Authority Bill 2023” introduced by Senator Fawzia Arshad. Both bills were deferred to the next meeting for further consideration after the senators involved are to consult with relevant authorities.
In a notable development, Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan withdrew her bill titled “The Cutting of Trees (Prohibition) Amendment Bill 2023.”
Another major point of discussion was “The Factories Amendment Bill 2023,” presented by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri. This bill, which mandates childcare provisions in factories, was unanimously passed with amendments. The committee established hefty fines for non-compliance, with a fine of Rs 1 lakh for the first violation, increasing to Rs 3 lakh for a second offense within six months, and the possibility of sealing the factory upon a third violation.
The committee also unanimously passed “The Guardians and Wards Amendment Bill 2024,” moved by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, with a few amendments.
However, “The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Amendment Bill 2024,” another proposal from Senator Mumtaz Zehri, was deferred for more discussion in the subsequent meeting. The Ministry of Interior expressed reservations about certain amendments, prompting the committee’s decision to invite officials from the IT Ministry, FIA, and cybercrime wing for comprehensive deliberation in the next session.
Additionally, the senior management of the Federal Residents Cooperative Housing Society Islamabad presented updates on the progress and development in Blocks A, B, C, and D, with particular issues noted in Blocks D and A. The Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) assured swift resolution of these matters.