ISLAMABAD – The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2011, which would ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country with penalties to government employees for breach of secrecy, security of information or data contained in the electoral roll database to ensure security and integrity of database of the electoral rolls.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, reviewed the implementation status of its previous decisions pertaining to the ministries of Information and Broadcasting, Labour and Manpower, Information Technology and Telecom and Interior.
It was observed that 75 percent of the decisions had been implemented while the remaining were awaiting completion of formalities and consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The Election Laws Bill 2011 also suggests five-year imprisonment or fine of Rs 5 million to any person for leaking such information about electoral database while speedy trial of election petitions has been suggested through local commissions to record evidence.
The cabinet accorded approval to the signing of an agreement for economic cooperation between Pakistan and Bulgaria. Under the proposed agreement, the Pakistan-Bulgaria inter-governmental commission would be set up to help promote cooperation in economic, trade and other fields between the two countries.
The cabinet approved the draft of the Pakistan Health Research Council (PHRC) Bill 2010. The draft bill would allow the council to carry out its mandate and academic-based research pursuits effectively and would enjoy the status of an autonomous organisation, with its own board of governors, and would be headed by the federal minister for health.
The cabinet agreed to consider civil servants for the National Civil Awards within the existing system of decorating prominent personalities. It was decided that the Ministry of Law and Justice would resubmit the matter after review.
On the National Forest Policy, it was observed that being an inter-provincial government issue, it would be discussed in the meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
The cabinet gave its approval to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2010. The cabinet also offered Fateha for departed souls of former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer and former interior minister Naseerullah Babar.
