Senate passes bill about judges qualification

The Senate on Monday passed three bills related to the qualification of Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges and changes in laws concerning herbal and homeopathic practitioners and motor vehicles.

The house passed IHC Amendment Bill 2020 moved by Senator Javed Abbasi. The bill changed the qualification of IHC judges as required at present for judges of high courts in provinces.

According to the Constitution, judges of provincial high courts need to be not less than 40 years of age, have over 10-year experience as an advocate of a high court, or have a judicial office in Pakistan for 10 years.

The Senate also approved the Unani, Ayurvedic, and Homeopathic Practitioners Amendment Bill 2019 moved by Prof Dr Mehr Taj Roghani and the Provincial Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill 2020 moved by Senator Abbasi.

Earlier, a Senate committee had observed that Unani, Ayurvedie system of medicine is different from that of Homoeopathy. The minimum qualification required for diploma in Homoeopathy is matriculation. It was also revealed that there are degree classes for the Homoeopathic doctors where the qualification is FSc Pre-medical. The Committee opined that for diploma in homoeopathy matriculation is not an appropriate qualification. The Homoeopathic Practitioners must have a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology and chemistry. For this FSc Pre-Medical can provide sound, basic requirement for seeking admission in diploma of homoeopathy.

Meanwhile, during Monday’s session, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani referred the Islamabad Capital Territory Waterside Safety Bill 2020, Protection of Rights of Minorities Bill 2020, and the Code of Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill 2020 to the relevant standing committees after Senator Javed Abbasi introduced them in the house.

The waterside bill was meant to provide safety to people who go to lakes, dams, and nullahs in Islamabad for recreational and other purposes.

Further, Senator Sameena Saeed tabled a resolution for separate barracks for juvenile suspects. She said that they should be kept separately from the adults. The house unanimously approved the resolution.

The Senate also unanimously approved the Provincial Motor Vehicle Act 2020. The act would be applicable in Islamabad as well as in all provinces at the same time.

Senator Javed, who tabled the bill, said that the amendment in the bill was required to open room for more chances of saving lives under emergencies. He added that the swift shifting of an injured to the hospital could prove to be vital for his survival.

Senator Abbasi said that the people should be aware that they had to give way to the ambulances and fire brigades during rush hour and heavy traffic. He added that it was the responsibility of everybody to create awareness on the sensitive matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2020.