ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has returned over a dozen bills to Parliament for reconsideration, leaving them in limbo indefinitely.
These bills, which had been passed by both houses of parliament towards the end of the PML-N-led government’s term, will await a decision after the general elections usher in a new National Assembly.
Among the bills are proposals such as the amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, which aims to increase penalties for individuals who show disrespect towards the Holy Prophet (PBUH), his companions, and other religious figures.
Other bills that have been sent back include the amendment to the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies, and the Books Registration bill. This amendment seeks to substitute the term ‘federal government’ with ‘Prime Minister’ throughout the law.
Additionally, the bill related to the protection of Journalists and Media Professionals aims to shift the responsibility of safeguarding journalists from the Ministry of Human Rights to the Ministry of Information. The National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill is also part of the returned bill. This bill aims to redefine the functions of the NCHD and introduce changes to its governing structure to improve efficiency and facilitate business operations.
Another returned bill addresses trade concerns. The Imports and Exports (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2023, prompted by appeals from the business community and various sectors, seeks to provide temporary relief from import/export-related restrictions.
However, President Alvi has also returned the Higher Education Commission (HEC) bill, which proposes extending the term of the HEC chairman to four years. Other bills that face reconsideration are the public sector commission amendment bill, the Pakistan Institute of Management Sciences Bill, the Horizon University bill, the Federal Urdu University amendment bill, the NFC Institute Multan amendment bill, and the National Institute for Technology bill.
