ISLAMABAD: The Senate was informed on Tuesday that Legal Aid and Justice Authority has been established to provide legal, financial and other assistance to the poor and vulnerable segments of the society.
Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari told the House during Question Hour that at present the legal aid is being provided through pro bono lawyers. She said the financial and funds rules of the Authority have been sent to the Finance Division for approval. She said campaigns have also been launched to create awareness amongst the people about the legal aid being provided through Legal Aid and Justice Authority.
The Minister for Human Rights said that we have also drafted a bill criminalizing enforced disappearances. She said the bill has already been adopted by the National Assembly, requesting the Senate to take it up for approval. Speaking in the Senate, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that making State Bank of Pakistan an autonomous institution is in accordance with fiscal responsibilities.
He recalled that the PML-N and the PPP in their eras also introduced amendments to make the central Bank autonomous. He said that our intent is to free the SBP from political influence. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, however, said the Board of Governors of State Bank of Pakistan will be appointed by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. He said Parliament is sovereign and all the reports of central Bank will come before it for scrutiny.
The Foreign Minister regretted the criticism of Leader of Opposition in the Senate against the Chair. He said the chair acted in accordance with the rule and used his discretion to vote in favour of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Amendment bill.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told the House that a multi buyer and multi seller electricity system will be started by May this year to enable the consumers buy electricity on a competitive basis from any power producer. He said the government is also promoting the installation of net metering based solar energy systems under National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s regulations.
He said the net metering of three hundred megawatts has been done over the last three years. Ali Muhammad Khan said that a system is being installed to check power pilferage and reduce line losses.
Rising on a point of order, PTI leader Faisal Javed emphasized the need for a system that guarantees the country’s development in the public interest. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan has waged a struggle for the well-being of the people. He said the country has been put in the right direction.
At the outset, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani said that the House will solely hold discussion on Kashmir dispute on Friday to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people. Sadiq Sanjrani said that a session of the House will also be held in Muzaffarabad on the request of Azad Kashmir Prime Minister. He said the ambassadors and representatives of human rights will also be invited to the session.
Earlier, Leader of House Shahzad Waseem pointed out that the whole nation observes 5th February as Kashmir solidarity day to give a message to the world community that Pakistan stands firmly behind their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their legitimate struggle for right to self-determination. The House will now meet again on Friday at 10:30 am.