LAHORE   -   Punjab Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare  Raja Basharat, giving a media briefing on the two-year performance of his departments here on Monday, said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar had a vision to legislate for the betterment of common man.

Keeping this vision in view, the Punjab Assembly had passed 63 important bills in 24 sessions during the last two years. Chairperson Punjab Women Protection Authority Kaniz Fatima, Law Secretary and Information Secretary were also present. 

Raja Basharat said the Punjab Assembly, despite having the largest opposition in history, had enacted the most legislation in the country.  “We have amended the Sugar Control Act of 1950 to stop the years-long exploitation of farmers by the sugar mafia. Now, the sugar mills would run on time and the farmer would get the full price of sugarcane on time,” he said. Raja Basharat said the Punjab Ravi Urban Development Act would prove to be a game changer in economic and social terms. He said the new Local Government Act of Punjab would transfer power to the lower level and under it, the Punjab government was going to hold the largest Local Bodies elections in the history of country, he maintained.

“We have changed the centuries-old laws of cooperatives and prisons into truly people-friendly,” he added.  Now, the properties of Punjab Cooperatives Liquidation Board worth trillions of rupees could be put to better use by relinquishing illegal possessions, he asserted.

He said that on the directive of the Chief Minister, the government departments  had been directed to formulate their rules within six months of the passage of the respective law.

 He revealed that some departments did not make rules even 

after 15 years.  

Raja Basharat said the Punjab Police as well as Rescue 1122 would get new 

vehicles, additional funds, allowances and benefits.  He said that all government 

measures, including the struggle against COVID-19, were given legal protection 

on the orders of the Chief Minister, while the credit for the law of production order 

goes to Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Speaker PA Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for 

legislation on production orders. 

He said that during COVID-19, financial assistance of Rs 124 million was given 

to Punjab Bar Council, Lahore High Court Bar and sub-bars including DG Khan 

District Bar. 

Describing the performance of Social Welfare and Baitul Maal department, the 

provincial minister said that Rs 230 million had been allocated for the construction 

of shelter homes in more cities after Lahore. 

Raja Basharat said that Punjab Women Protection Authority was formed in 2016, 

Shehbaz Sharif himself became its chairman and did nothing while the present 

government restored the institution by appointing a female head and made it useful 

for the affected women. He said that on the orders of the Chief Minister, regularization 

of blind daily wagers for 580 posts in various departments of Punjab was underway. 

Responding to questions, Raja Basharat said that Shehbaz Sharif was arrested 

for his actions, adding that no government had anything to do with it.  “Bringing 

effective policy and monitoring systems for law enforcement, we are improving 

law implication in Punjab” he maintained.

One of the main accused in the motorway case has been arrested by the police, 

he said and added that accused Abid Ali would also be brought to justice soon.

A summary has been sent to the Chief Minister for daily monitoring of law and 

order in Punjab which would help in maintaining law and order situation, he added.