–Farogh Naseem says Article 149 not meant to create any divide between Karachi and Sindh
–Says Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) bill will reduce civil litigation period to maximum two years
–Dr Firdous urges Opp to support govt on Kashmir cause by rising above personal, political goals
ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Dr Farogh Naseem on Saturday said that the enforcement of Article 149 of the Constitution will only empower and strengthen the local government systems in place across various provinces and is not a matter to be considered controversial in any way.
The law minister was addressing a press conference along with the government’s chief spokesperson, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, and other officials.
“First, I would advise everyone to read Article 149(4) of the Constitution. There is nothing controversial in it except the provision to empower a local government, and there is a mechanism to dovetail it with Article 140A,” said the law minister.
“And it won’t be for Karachi alone; if the recommendation made by the federation proves successful, it will light the way for other cities of Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan,” said Naseem.
He explained that “if the local government of Kandiaro, Diplo, or Dadu is empowered, it is neither the PTI nor the MQM that benefits. It is advantageous to their own local government which is in place there and I am fighting their case.”
The law minister also clarified that the enforcement of Article 149 is not meant to create any divide between Karachi and Sindh.
“We ourselves have avowed not to let Karachi segregate from the rest of the province,” said Naseem while responding to a question.
“The [strategic] committee has to iron out the issues relating to Article 149,” he continued before telling reporters: “I am ready to respond to your questions on this subject again, whenever you say.”
The minister revealed that under new laws to be introduced by the government, those involved in the embezzlement of Rs500 million or above in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases will be assigned “C” class in jail.
Naseem also said the government is going to institute a law relating to the immovable properties of overseas Pakistanis.
On Wednesday, Naseem had said that a strategic committee on Karachi was going to recommend to Prime Minister Imran Khan that he invoke Article 149 for the uplift of Karachi.
Reacting to the law minister’s statement, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had accused the Centre of “trying to occupy Karachi” with the said move.
Addressing reporters on Saturday, Naseem also said a number of new laws are being introduced to provide inexpensive and expeditious justice to the people and protect the vulnerable segments of the society.
Giving details of the laws, the law minister said that the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) bill, 2019 will reduce civil litigation period to maximum two years.
He said a Legal Aid and Justice Authority Bill is also being brought to provide legal, financial and other assistance and access to justice to the poor and vulnerable segments of the society in criminal cases.
He said disadvantaged women and children will be given preference by the Authority.
Naseem said the Enforcement of Women s Property Bill will protect and secure the rights of ownership and possession of women in properties. He said the women ombudsman to be appointed under this law will exercise enforcement and policing powers to restore the possession or ownership.
The minister said the Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Bill will authorise the NADRA to issue succession certificates within 15 days.
Naseem said that a law is also being brought for the protection of whistleblowers. Under this law, a Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission will be established.
The minister said that law is also being introduced to address the matters of overseas Pakistan regarding their immovable properties.
He said that these laws have been framed following the inputs by Prime Minister Imran Khan and expressed the confidence it will also be replicated in the provinces.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Firdous said the new laws will bring about real change in the country according to the vision of Prime Minister Imran.
She said the government is making efforts to bring the country out of obsolete system and all institutions are striving to give the prime minister’s roadmap a reality.
Referring to the opposition’s role on the Kashmir issue, she regretted that the opposition is trying to secure personal gains while speaking on the issue. She said the opposition is damaging the narrative of Pakistan and Kashmir.
She said that democracy and society cannot be completed without the role of the opposition and pointed out the Indian media for bouncing the negative or less role of Pakistani opposition which was causing much to Kashmir cause.
She said, ‘Every Kashmiri was looking towards Pakistan against the Indian atrocities’.
Firdous said the opposition parties should have to be on same page for Kashmir cause as it was far beyond the personal and political goals.