Global pacts: Provinces to be brought into the loop
Several treaties require reports that need to be prepared by provincial govts.
Islamabad has been grappling with legal complications as well as confusion while dealing with international treaties since 2011. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
A legal cell will be set up at the provincial level to assist the government in processing and implementing international treaties, as stipulated in a letter written by the law and justice ministry to the provincial authorities.
Under the new mechanism, provincial governments will be taken on board through a “coordination cell” to join the Council of Common Interests (CII) in dealing with international treaties – including those already passed and the ones Pakistan intends to negotiate in future.
The decision to form a new body was taken after legal complications arose in the implementation of international agreements at the provincial level. Following the 18th Amendment, the implementation of international agreements in the provincial field has become the responsibility of the provincial governments, stated the letter.
“It will put the system on the right footing — things were not working smoothly after the devolution of various departments to provinces after the 18th Amendment,” observed Caretaker Law Minister Ahmer Bilal Soofi. “The legal cell will lead officials to interpret international treaties better.”
Islamabad has been grappling with legal complications as well as confusion while dealing with international treaties since 2011.
How it’ll work
The law ministry, along with the coordination of this cell, shall inform the provincial government about opportunities for international treaties and challenges that may be faced by them. “Such assistance should also be expected in case of a bilateral treaty,” said the law ministry letter.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2013.
A legal cell will be set up at the provincial level to assist the government in processing and implementing international treaties, as stipulated in a letter written by the law and justice ministry to the provincial authorities.
Under the new mechanism, provincial governments will be taken on board through a “coordination cell” to join the Council of Common Interests (CII) in dealing with international treaties – including those already passed and the ones Pakistan intends to negotiate in future.
The decision to form a new body was taken after legal complications arose in the implementation of international agreements at the provincial level. Following the 18th Amendment, the implementation of international agreements in the provincial field has become the responsibility of the provincial governments, stated the letter.
“It will put the system on the right footing — things were not working smoothly after the devolution of various departments to provinces after the 18th Amendment,” observed Caretaker Law Minister Ahmer Bilal Soofi. “The legal cell will lead officials to interpret international treaties better.”
Islamabad has been grappling with legal complications as well as confusion while dealing with international treaties since 2011.
How it’ll work
The law ministry, along with the coordination of this cell, shall inform the provincial government about opportunities for international treaties and challenges that may be faced by them. “Such assistance should also be expected in case of a bilateral treaty,” said the law ministry letter.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2013.