Act of parliament: NA panel to discuss NCSW bill next week

Proposed legislation seeks to enhance parliament’s role in making commission more effective

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights will meet next week to discuss the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Moved by MQM parliamentarian Saman Sultana Jafri, the amendment calls upon the government to present an annual report so that federal lawmakers could debate the commission’s recommendations.

The NCSW was formed through an act of parliament and the parliamentary committee that comprises members from both houses has to confirm its chairperson. However, the parliamentary committee, after confirming the chairperson of the commission, becomes redundant.

Although a provision of the NCSW Act, 2012 calls upon the government to place an annual report of the commission before parliament, nothing of the sort has been done even after three years of the establishment of the commission.

According to Jafri, the amendment will be instrumental in enhancing the role of parliament and making the NCSW more effective.

She also highlighted the limitations of the commission, saying it was ultimately up to the government to take action on the recommendations of the report.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th,  2016.