Cabinet okays changes to colonial-era CrPC

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the Criminal Procedure (Code of Criminal Procedure) Amendment Bill 2024 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The prime minister chaired a meeting of the federal cabinet at the PM House during which several important decisions were made, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The bill will be sent to Parliament for its assent.

Under the amendments in the Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill, the system of registering FIRs has been simplified. Use of modern technology in investigations, forensic technique and to enable the audio-video recording of witness statements would be allowed.

Furthermore, the amendment bill included provisions to strengthen the role of the prosecutor during investigations. The prosecutor will be able to point out any deficiencies or flaws in the police report.

Under these amendments, women, individuals under 12 years old, men over 70 years old, and persons with physical or mental disabilities will be able to record their statements at a place of their convenience.

The amendments also stipulated that the trial court would deliver its verdict within one year, and in case of delay, the relevant High Court would be held accountable. Additionally, the appellate court will be required to make a decision on any appeal within six months to one year.

Furthermore, in cases where the police investigation finds the accused innocent and prepares a discharge report, the accused would be entitled to bail.

The meeting was informed that e-office has been fully implemented in 18 federal government divisions. It was further stated that this was the first time that such a large-scale implementation of e-office had been carried out in the federal government, marking a significant step towards a paperless economy.

The meeting was also informed that if e-office was fully implemented, there was a potential saving of up to Rs230 million in stationery and fuel costs.

The prime minister praised Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima and the officials of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication for their efforts.

He also commended the performance of the ministers and secretaries of those divisions where e-office has been fully implemented.

The federal cabinet also made several important decisions which included the approval to the National Registration and Biometrics Policy Framework 2024 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Interior.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice, the forum approved the establishment of the Intellectual Property Tribunal in Quetta.

It also approved signing the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements resulting from arbitration, based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice, regarding December 20, 2018.

It rejected the appeal of Arbab Ans manager HR of Karachi Port Trust against his dismissal.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Petroleum, the cabinet approved amendments to Form EL-01 under the Explosives Rules 2010, regarding licenses for the preparation of high-density explosive materials.

It approved the transfer of the Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, and Kolai Pallas Kohistan districts from Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) to Hazara Electric Power Company (Hepco) on the recommendation of the Ministry of Energy, Power Division.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the cabinet approved the inclusion of section related to oath of Finality of Prophethood in marriage certificates within the Islamabad Capital Territory.

The cabinet was presented with reports on the implementation of Principles of Policy for federal affairs for the years 2021-22 and 2022-23 by the Cabinet Secretariat.

It also received reports from the Cabinet Division regarding the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for the past three years. These reports will now be sent to the Council of Common Interests.

The federal cabinet confirmed the decisions made during the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State Owned Enterprises held on December 4, 2024, and the meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Government Transactions held on November 20 and 21, 2024.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz has formed a 13-member committee under Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal to ensure timely decisions regarding sugar exports.

The committee’s mandate includes evaluating the accurate stock position of sugar and strengthening the monitoring system.

The committee members are Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, the minister of state for finance, Ministry of Food secretary, a representative from the Intelligence Bureau, a Pakistan Sugar Mills Association representative, Land Information and Management System director-general, Federal Board of Revenue chairman, Sultan Ahmad Zafar, Dr. Abid Qayyum Suleri (Executive Director of SDPI), Dr Obaidullah Anjum (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics), Dr Bahriawar Jan (Director-General of the Trade Statistics Authority), and Ikram Ul Haq.

The committee’s terms of reference have been issued. It would review all data services related to sugar production, consumption, and stocks. The committee would also investigate discrepancies in various data sources, including the underlying assumptions. It will identify those responsible for presenting incorrect data regarding sugar consumption, stocks and surpluses, which could delay decisions on potential exports.