Reform bills tabled amid quorum clashes

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has introduced a series of new laws aimed at removing barriers to business and trade, streamlining charitable organization registration, providing housing for government employees' families in case of in-service death, offering free legal aid to underprivileged individuals, and tackling climate change challenges.

During a session of the provincial assembly held Wednesday, six bills were presented, and two were approved. Among the key legislative developments is the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ease of Doing Business Bill 2025, which seeks to simplify business operations in the province through regulatory reforms and the establishment of a one-window digital portal.

All relevant government departments and regulatory bodies will be mandated to integrate with the new portal. An operational unit will also be created to manage the development, maintenance, and upgrading of the portal. The law will apply province-wide and will be implemented following an official government notification.

Additionally, the assembly introduced the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Government Employees Housing Foundation Bill 2025, which proposes the provision of residential plots to government employees or their families — on a no-profit, no-loss basis — in cases of retirement or in-service death.

To enhance the regulation of charitable organizations, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Charities (Amendment) Bill 2025 was also tabled.

This move is intended to ensure the Commission's financial self-sufficiency, improve transparency, filter out inactive organizations, and ensure more effective use of public donations.

Finally, the assembly introduced the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Legal Aid (Amendment) Bill, aimed at providing free legal assistance to the poor and needy. The amendments focus on cost efficiency by eliminating the previously proposed separate Legal Aid Agency and instead assigning the Director General of Prosecution as the head of legal aid efforts, establishing a special wing within the Directorate of Prosecution to handle legal aid services.

Earlier, despite repeated quorum objections from the opposition, legislative proceedings continued in the assembly.