A significant meeting of the Legislative Committee was convened in Peshawar, chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Minister for Law, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs, Aftab Alam. The session focused on four critical agenda items, involving detailed deliberations on amendments and reforms across various provincial laws to enhance governance and public welfare.
Comprehensive Attendance and Agenda Overview
The meeting saw participation from key provincial figures, including Provincial Finance Minister Muzammil Aslam, the Secretary of the Law Department, the Additional Advocate General, and officials from multiple departments such as Social Welfare, Board of Revenue, Health, Law, and Transport. This broad representation underscored the collaborative approach to legislative modernization.
Key Legislative Items Under Review
During the session, comprehensive discussions were held on several proposed amendments:
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2016: Amendments to Section 15A were reviewed, emphasizing the government's priority on protecting women's rights and promoting gender equality.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa River Protection (Amendment) Act, 2026: Proposed changes to Section 11 were examined, with Law Minister Aftab Alam suggesting the bifurcation of issues related to river encroachments and canal bank violations. He also stressed the inclusion of all 15 notified rivers in the province within the ordinance's schedule to bolster environmental protection.
- Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965: Draft amendments targeting vehicles used by private educational institutions were discussed. The focus was on ensuring safe usage and implementing safeguards against potential damages, with an emphasis on incorporating stormwater drains as a backup mechanism in the legislation.
- KP Medical Teaching Institutions Reforms Act, 2025: Necessary amendments were deliberated to improve health sector services, aligning with broader reforms aimed at providing better public healthcare.
Minister's Emphasis on Modernization and Public Welfare
Addressing the meeting, Minister Aftab Alam highlighted the government's commitment to modernizing the legislative process. He emphasized that priority areas include the protection of women's rights, environmental improvement through river protection, regulation of transport for educational institutions, and health sector reforms. Alam directed concerned authorities to finalize all proposed amendments promptly and present them before the provincial cabinet and assembly to accelerate the legislative process.
Core Principles and Future Directions
The meeting underscored that transparency, mutual consultation, and public interest must remain paramount in all legislative efforts. At its conclusion, the minister reaffirmed the government's dedication to strengthening the rule of law in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and improving governance through institutional reforms, ensuring that legislative actions align with the needs and welfare of the public.
