ISLAMABAD: Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation on Friday decided to work towards establishing a mechanism to scrutinise subordinate legislation and discuss the lacunae in delegated legislation from 2015 to 2018.
In a meeting chaired by Senator Ayesha Raza, committee decided that a comprehensive framework for scrutiny of delegated legislation be developed, including the provision of time frame to the relevant parent Ministry Division/ Department for framing such rules /regulations and placement of subordinate legislation before the House.
The Committee discussed in detail the report on lacunae in delegated legislation from 2015 to 2017 and recommended suggestions for improvement. Eighteen rules, regulations and orders were reviewed out of which, five were suggested to amend.
Discussion began with the underwriter’s Rule 2015. It was recommended that the committee write to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and ask them to specify what public interests are referred to in the rules. It was suggested that clarification of ‘Interest of Capital Markets’ should also be sought. While discussing the Pakistan Oil (Refining, Blending, Transportation, Storage and Marketing) Rules 2016, it was recommended that Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) be called in the next meeting, in order to seek clarification on some of the rules deliberated upon by the committee. The committee directed that the complete set of rules be shared with the committee. Reviewing the Premium Prize Bonds (Registered) Rules 2017, it was recommended that complete set of rules be sought from the relevant Ministry which then be analysed by the committee in the next meeting.
While discussing the report that was presented in an academic seminar co-organized by the Institute for Advanced Legal Studies, University of London and Westminster Foundation of Democracy, the committee lauded Senator Rabbani for his participation and presentation of paper on behalf of Pakistan in the said seminar and said that the committee and the House were proud of his contribution.
Committee, while praising Senator Rabbani’s paper and contribution, endorsed the London Declaration unanimously. Senator Rukhsana Zuberi was of the view that the report / paper should be discussed in the House as well. Chairperson committee apprised that the committee would move the paper for discussion in the House The meeting was attended by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Senator Kalsoom Parveen, Senator Dr. Asad Ashraf, Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, Senator Robina Khalid and Senator Hasil Khan Bizenjo.
Published in Daily Times, August 11th 2018.
