Law Ministry babus’ grammar comes under fire in NA

With the Lower House of parliament passing two important bills on Wednesday, the babus of the Law Ministry came under strong criticism of PPP lawmaker Syed Zafar Ali Shah, who grilled the bureaucrats for presenting bills filled with errors, lacunae and drafting mistakes without even giving it a second reading to get rid of legal and grammatical faults.
“There are so many drafting errors in these bills and even commas and full stops have not been used appropriately. Even ministers don’t cater to these mistakes and bills after bills are being passed with drafting errors. The law minister should summon those officials and should take them to task,” said Zafar Ali Shah while speaking on a point of order. Referring to the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2011, Shah also took to task the relevant ministers and legislators who did not point out mistakes in the bill earlier, as the same had earlier been passed by both Houses of parliament. “Under the law, if this bill is not passed now, the government would have to summon joint session of parliament to pass this bill,” he asserted.
Minister of State for Oroduction Khwaja Sheraz Mehmood admitted drafting mistakes in the bill and assured the House that such a mistake would not be repeated. Deputy speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, who was chairing the session, directed Law Minister Maula Bux Chandio to take action against the officials who were involved in making these mistakes. The minister assured action against the concerned officials and pledged that such mistakes would not be repeated. Later the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2011 was passed unanimously as opposition did not oppose. The bill was aimed at amending the State Bank of Pakistan act, 1956, being an old law which would benefit from being updated to bring it closer to the current functions of a modern central bank and to better confirm to best international practice. The House also passed the Private and Infrastructure Board Bill, 2011 unanimously. Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar presented the bill. The PPIB was created per the 1994 power policy to act as “one window” operation for attracting and facilitating private investment in power generation and allied infrastructure projects. “It is expected that the draft stature will inspire private sector and public sector confident in the authority, credibility, efficiency and permanence,” the bill says. There is also a shift in emphasis from thermal to hydel and coal-based power generation, and private investors are already showing interest in undertaking such projects.