NA body for passing law to extend job quota system

The meeting of the standing committee was held under the chairmanship of MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk at the Parliament House

By Asim Yasin

September 28, 2024

An inside view of the National Assembly. — APP/File

ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Law and Justice recommended the passage of law extending the job quota for the underdeveloped areas by the National Assembly.

The meeting of the standing committee was held under the chairmanship of MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk at the Parliament House on Friday.

The committee considered the Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 (Article 27), moved by MNA Aliya Kamran. After thorough discussions, the committee, by majority vote, recommended that the bill be passed by the National Assembly.

According to the statement of objects and reasons for the bill, a quota for jobs was proposed in the Constitution to support development and provide opportunities to people in underdeveloped areas.

After 40 years, these areas remain significantly backward; therefore, this amendment aims to extend the quota period to create more opportunities for residents of less developed regions.

discussed the Legal Aid and Justice Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and after detailed deliberations, it recommended that the bill be passed by the National Assembly.

The bill aims to shift the administrative control of the Legal Aid and Justice Authority (LAJA) from the Ministry of Human Rights to the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The institutional linkages of the Ministry of Law and Justice with other law officers and commissions under the administrative control of the Law and Justice Division, as well as with bar councils and associations, will enable LAJA to fulfil its mandate more effectively.

The standing committee deferred consideration of the Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 (Article 25), moved by Dr. Nafisa Shah, and the Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 (Articles 51 & 106), moved by Naveed Aamir Jeeva.

The committee also did not consider the National Accountability (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Ordinance No. VI of 2024) (Government Bill), and deferred it at the request of the ministry.

Moreover, the committee did not consider the Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 (Article 9-A), moved by Amjad Ali Khan, MNA, and deferred it due to the non-availability and request of the mover.

Due to a lack of time, the committee did not consider several other bills, including the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Article 184), the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Articles 51, 59, and 106), the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Articles 177, 193, and 208), the Contempt of Court (Repeal) Bill, 2024 (moved by Noor Alam Khan), the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Article 198) (moved by Changaze Ahmad Khan), the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Articles 175A & 215) (moved by Asad Qaiser), and the High Courts (Establishment) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Article 4 of the President’s Order No. 8 of 1970) (moved by Sohail Sultan). These bills were deferred until the next meeting.