LAHORE: The departments working on the reform agenda of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Punjab government have been asked to expedite work on finalisation of new laws or amendments to the existing ones and new policies, completing the task by the end of this week.
The agenda includes some drastic steps like charging fees for using underground water, redesigning the waste management companies, controlling private education institutions and introducing labour-friendly policies.
According to officials on Wednesday, the departments concerned had been asked to finalise drafts of the new laws or amendments to the existing ones by the end of this week so that these could be introduced after vetting by the law department and approval by the provincial cabinet.
The reforms would be a part of the changes in the existing governance system as promised by the prime minister in his 100-day agenda, an official said.
The official said the government was working on a new agriculture policy, amendments to the Agriculture Produce Markets Ordinance 1978 to increase competition and improve management of public sector agriculture markets, and establishment of Punjab Agriculture Market Regulatory Authority for the expansion and regulation of markets.
It intends to launch a comprehensive tourism policy, amendment to the Travel Agencies Act 1976 for easing licenses for domestic tour operators.
Similarly, formulation of a five-year education blue print and introduction of the Pakistan Education Standards Development Act and Punjab Private Schools Registration Authority Act 2018 are the initiatives in the education sector.
It intends to launch a provincial water policy and introduce the Punjab Groundwater Act 2018.
De-capping milk and meat prices, imposition of 100 percent import duties on whey powder and dry milk, amendments to the Municipal Water Act 2014, five-year higher education policy, strategy to provide international distance e-learning opportunities, partnership with international institutes to improve teaching and research quality are some other initiatives.
Departments concerned are also working on Fresh registration of waste management companies, amendments to the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2015, Punjab Fair Representation of Women Act 2014, Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Act 2014, Domestic Workers Act 2017, Home Based Workers Act 2017, Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016, Punjab Women Protection Authority, Senior Citizens Act, and enforcement of mechanics to protect inheritance related laws.
Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2018
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