LAHORE, April 5: The Punjab law department has sought recommendations from all departments for reviewing outdated laws to meet the present day requirements. Law Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja told Punjab Assembly here on Tuesday while expressing his views on the amendments proposed by Miss Zaibunnisa Qureshi in the provincial motor vehicles ordinance on the private members day on Tuesday. The minister said in most of the cases some minor changes were required to end difficulties faced by people.

He said the law department after proper vetting would send the proposed amendments to the assembly for approval.

Transport Minister Rana Shamshad said that amendments in the motor vehicles ordinance were under review at the federal level, therefore, it would be improper to do the same before any decision was taken by the central government.

He said the Punjab transport department had already submitted its viewpoint on the issue to the federal government.

The minister opposed the amendments proposed by Miss Qureshi and urged the house to vote it out.

Miss Qureshi defended her proposed amendments and said that there was no harm in amending the out-dated provisions of the motor vehicle ordinance even if they were under review at the federal level.

She said she had suggested amendments in amounts of fine and other such changes of vital importance which should be accepted.

The house, however, rejected the proposed amendments by the mover.

ACTING SPEAKER: Acting Speaker Sardar Shaukat Hussin Mazari referred the bill titled ‘provincial assembly of the Punjab privileges (amendment) bill 2005’ to the respective standing committee and sought report within a month.

The bill which entitles MPAs to visit welfare houses in their constituencies was presented by Deputy Opposition Leader Rana Sanaullah Khan during private members day on Tuesday and the treasury side did not oppose it.

The bill proposed amendments in section 17 of the provincial assembly of the Punjab privileges act 1972 to entitle MPAs to visit the welfare homes with previous intimation and to submit report to the respective minister after such a visit.

The step would go a long way in improving the conditions in the said homes for the welfare of the vagrants and other inmates of the welfare houses, says statement of objects and reasons presented by mover of the bill in the house to justify the amendment. —APP