Senator Irfan Siddiqui asks PM for action to trace missing bill

ISLAMABAD: Senator Irfan Siddiqui sent a letter to the interim Prime Minister on Friday, urging efforts to locate the Bill that disappeared before receiving presidential approval. Siddiqui requested action from Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar to find the missing legislative document, emphasizing the importance of upholding the honour and reputation of Parliament.

The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act 2022 was unanimously passed in the Senate on May 23 and then by the National Assembly on June 8, 2022. It was sent to the PM Office for presidential approval on June 21.

However, the Bill has gone missing since it was forwarded to the president. In his letter, Siddiqui mentioned that the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs had apprised him on September 27, 2023, that the “summary for the assent of President to the bill was endorsed and sent to PM’s office on June 21, 2022. The assent of the President on the Bill is still awaited.” It further said that the President’s office had clarified its position, saying the “Bill was never received by Awan-e-Saddar”. He wrote that despite repeated queries, the PM office was “reluctant to reply and clear its position” over the issue. He asked the PM to check with the relevant staff to trace the bill traced and sent it to the President’s office for assent.”