Amendment bill seeking establishment of IHC presented in NA.

ISLAMABAD, September 06, 2009 (Balochistan Times): Constitutional amendment bills seeking change in the procedure for appointment of judges and setting up Islamabad High Court (IHC) have been presented in the National Assembly (NA). Presenting his bill seeking amendment in articles 177 and 193 of the constitution, PML-Q legislator Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada said the procedure with respect to induction of judges in high court and supreme court be modified to ensure more transparency in the process. State minister for law Afzal Sindhu said the matter was agreed upon in Charter of Democracy (COD) adding constitutional reforms committee was also working on this count. Therefore, the bill be referred to this committee, he said. On the side, PML-N legislator Naseer Bhutta, presented bill seeking amendment in article, 175, 186-A, 198, 218 under which the setting up of IHC had been demanded. Naseer Bhutta told about 16000 cases were pending in defunct IHC and people were suffering in this connection. State minister for law also said the bill be referred to constitutional reforms committee. The other bills which were presented in the NA were public procurement regulatory authority amendment bill-2009, penal codes of Pakistan amendment bill-2009, women honour bill-2009 and Pakistan commissioner of inquiry amendment bill-2009.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)