A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation regarding the drafting and consultation of citizen-oriented laws in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held under the chairmanship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister, Aftab Alam Advocate.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Law Department Akhtar Saeed Turk, Deputy Secretary CM Secretariat, Usman Jelani, officials of the Board of Revenue, Finance Department, Social Welfare Department, Advocate General’s Office, Irrigation Department, and other relevant departments.
The proposed River Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 was discussed in detail. It was decided that the draft bill would be comparatively reviewed with the Canal and Drainage Act to devise a solution based on ground realities. Furthermore, to curb violations in this sector, a proposal was presented to grant special magistracy powers to law graduates in consultation with the Chief Secretary’s Office and the Establishment Secretary. Suggestions of imposing imprisonment ranging from 3 to 7 years for violations were also discussed.
Similarly, the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Vagrancy (Control and Rehabilitation) Act 2025 also came under detailed consultation. Emphasis was laid on introducing measures to curb begging and to rehabilitate beggars in a way that they could live as productive and dignified citizens of society. In addition, various suggestions were considered to address the damage caused to the national image by the menace of begging.
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Moreover, the meeting also reviewed different opinions regarding the removal of shortcomings in various chapters and the 44 sections of the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ehsaas Street Vendors (Livelihood Protection) Act. Concerning the said Act and its implementation, the Law Minister stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government is determined to resolve public issues through people-friendly and transparent legislation. He directed the concerned departments to prioritise ground realities and public needs in the process of lawmaking so that the people may receive genuine relief in the true sense.
