ISLAMABAD - National Assembly of Pakistan Thursday approved two bills 'The Federal Ombudsmen Institutional Reforms Bill 2013' presented by Law Minister Farooq H Naek and secondly 'The Capital University of Science and Technology Bill 2013' that was presented by Minister for Capital administration and Development Nazar Muhammad Gondal.
Consisting 24 clauses bill presented by Naek was presented, as claimed, to bring institutional reforms for standardizing and harmonizing the laws relating to the Federal Ombudsmen institution. Naek did not oppose some amendments proposed by MNA Zahid Hamid and those were made part of the bill.
Whereas an amendment proposed by Syed Zafar Ali Shah was not entertained by the house as the majority opposed it. One of the reason for being rejected was that Shah could not properly explain, what he wanted to amend. He was given due time but after all house rejected his stance on an amendment he was proposing.
As per the bills after its signing into law, Federal Ombudsman would not be entitled to get an extension and his service period would be limited to 4 years. Related agencies working on the complaints would be bound to submit their reports within 15 days and again only 15 days period would be a binding on competent authority to take necessary action within.
The other bill that the lower house of parliament approved was presented providing for the establishment of another university in the federal capital to provide students more opportunities of higher education learning. The bill titled 'The Capital University of Science and Technology Bill 2013' was also accepted with several amendments proposed by the members.
Earlier, Minister of State for Interior responding to a Calling Attention Notice said that National Database and Registration Authority is producing 40,000 Computerized National Identity Cards daily and delivery is ensured within the due date. Minister said that in some cases the verification prolongs but this is for the scrutiny purposes where a doubt arises regarding any fake entries or duplication. "NADRA across the country process CNICs within stipulated time but when anybody desires a second CNIC, the system blocks it and then certain time is consumed for proper verification", he explained.
Minister while answering to a question said that he did not rule out the involvement of agents at some registration centres and said that he will visit such centres personally and will take stern action against the culprits.
The minister praised NADRA that created such a marvellous database that was considered credible within and outside Pakistan. He also appreciated its performance that the organisation was processing 40,000 CNIC cards only daily basis and had the capacity to even process 70,000 cards.
He also said that any proposal regarding the establishment of NADRA centre in any certain areas would be entertained if it fulfils the criteria that was set on the basis of population of the area. He also informed that at present 54 centres are working in Hyderabad with 66 in Sukkur and 57 in Karachi and said, all under process CNICs shall be delivered within due date.