Senate panel okays ‘Factories Amendment Bill 2023’

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior Friday approved two bills – The Factories Amendment Bill 2023, and The Guardians and Wards Amendment Bill 2024 – before its passage from the Senate.

During the Senate panel meeting held under the chair of Senator Mohsin Aziz, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri presented “The Factories Amendment Bill 2023,” which was unanimously approved with amendments, emphasizing mandatory provisions for childcare in factories. Violations will incur fines of Rs100,000 for the first offense, Rs300,000 for non-implementation within 6 months for the second offense and sealing of the factory for the third offense.

“The Guardians and Wards Amendment Bill 2024” moved by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri also received unanimous approval with few amendments.

“The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Amendment Bill 2024” moved by Senator Mumtaz Zehri was deferred for further discussion in the next meeting.

The Ministry of Interior, while not objecting to section 22, raised concerns about the amendment in section 42.

The committee showed intent to call upon the officials from the IT Ministry, FIA, and cybercrime wing for the next meeting to address concerns related to the bill.

The committee delved into the discussion on “The Rehriban (Street Vendors) Livelihood Protection Bill 2023” moved by Senator Sania Nishtar and “The National Database and Registration Authority Bill 2023” presented by Senator Fawzia Arshad.

Both bills were deferred to the next meeting for further deliberation after the movers consulted with relevant authorities.

Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan withdrew her bill titled “The Cutting of Trees (Prohibition) Amendment Bill 2023”.

Senior management of the Federal Residents Cooperative Housing Society Islamabad briefed the committee on progress and development in Block A, B, C, and D, highlighting issues in Block D and A. The chairman CDA assured resolution of these matters at the earliest.