Punjab set to revise outdated laws

The Law Reforms Committee, formed to control crimes and provide affordable and prompt justice in Punjab, will begin its work in March, proposing changes in all colonial-era criminal laws.

This six-member committee is chaired by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Kamran Adil, with Additional Secretary Imran Hussain Ranjha, who will also serve as the committee's secretary, as a member.

Other members include Muhammad Yunus, the Deputy Director at the Ministry of Law, Assistant Advocate General Hassan Khalid, a representative from the Prosecutor General's Office of Punjab, and one additional member will be nominated by the committee itself.

This high-powered committee is expected to submit its report by June of this year.

Sources say the committee will recommend changes to all of the 165-plus colonial-era criminal laws, some of which are over a century old.

The committee will propose amendments to make these outdated laws more modern and effective.

The committee will prepare drafts for amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1898, the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) of 1860, and the Law of Evidence Order of 1984.

The committee will also draft a "National Security Law." Legal reforms will be introduced to prevent crime, ensure effective law enforcement, and restore public order. Specific amendments will be suggested for the protection of women and children in Punjab.

Furthermore, the committee will recommend updates to laws related to counter-terrorism, cybercrime, cybersecurity, and inter-provincial coordination, incorporating modern scientific techniques and social demands.

The committee will seek suggestions from the LHC and district bars and will consult with retired senior judges and police officers to form comprehensive recommendations.