Mubashar Naqvi
Muzaffarabad
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday accorded unanimous approval to its three bills including ‘ The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Accountability Bureau (Sixth Amendment) Act, 2020.’ Deputy Speaker Assembly Sardar Amir Altaf presided over the session.
The other two bills include ‘The Criminal Law (First Amendment) Act, 2020, and The Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 2020. Expressing his views on the bills, the leader of the house, Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that the law of the accountability bureau has been balanced through these amendments so that no one can cross its jurisdiction.
He said before this legislation, the officials of accountability bureau during raids can take the entire record of the department with them but now it will be processed through the concerned secretary. ‘Action would be taken against the secretary if he or she failed to provide/handover the record within given time’ , he added.
The Prime Minister said that an impression was created about the politicians and bureaucrats that both are thieves. ‘If all are thieves in the country then who will come from abroad to invest here?’ he questioned.
He added that opposition parties could bring more amendments in the law for its further improvement. Raja Farooq Haider said neither these amendments were made on any dishonesty nor aimed to gain any powers. ‘ I am here today might not be tomorrow’ he added.
He said the main purpose of the amendments in law was to introduce such a transparent accountability mechanism in the state, which is acceptable for all and no one can raise finger on its transparency.
The Prime Minister said that adopted law will ensures a comprehensive check and balance system.
Minister Law and Parliamentary Affairs while commenting on it said that under this law accuser will have to disclose his or her identity by attaching his CNIC and affidavit along-with his or her application.
