QUETTA: Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi has stressed the need for making law for speedy transfer of power to match the constitutional and administrative matters signed by the four provinces after the 18th Constitution amendment.

Speaking at a meeting regarding law and parliamentary affairs here on Wednesday, she said that three other provinces had made legislation for speedy transition of powers and were committed to making continuous improvement, but in Balochistan the process was stalled and time was being wasted, creating legal and administrative complications.

Director Parliamentary Affairs Saeed Iqbal briefed the meeting about the departmental progress on the pending legislation and drafts.

“We have to show seriousness for legislation on all these issues which were transferred to provinces after the 18th Constitution amendment,” Dr Buledi said.

“All constitutional requirements that we as members of the Legislative Assembly have to do in any case should be addressed as the first priority,” she said.

She said the Department of Law and Parliamentary Affairs was treated like a suspended member.

“Although the direction of all administrative departments is the primary responsibility of the department, no law, order or action can be implemented without the written legal opinion of the law department,” she said.

“We, therefore, need to understand the responsibilities of this department as well as all administrative departments to avoid actions and orders that go beyond the basic guidelines of law that affect governance while violating the Fixed Legal Rules of Business,” she said.

“Bypassing administrative hierarchies’ leads to degradation,” Dr Buledi said.

She said that if every department adhered to the rule of law, then there would be no need and time to challenge administrative matters in courts.

“Institutions will be strengthened and they will be able to perform their basic duties actively,” she said.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2022