The Senate was informed that Legal Aid and Justice Authority has beenestablished to provide legal, financial and other assistance to the poorand vulnerable segments of the society.
Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari told the House during QuestionHour that at present the legal aid is being provided through pro bonolawyers. She said the financial and funds rules of the Authority have beensent to the Finance Division for approval. She said that campaigns havealso been launched to create awareness amongst the people about the legalaid being provided through Legal Aid and Justice Authority.
The Minister for Human Rights said that we have also drafted a billcriminalizing enforced disappearances. She said the bill has already beenadopted by the National Assembly, requesting the Senate to take it up forapproval.
Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshisaid that making State Bank of Pakistan an autonomous institution is inaccordance with fiscal responsibilities.
He recalled that the PML-N and the PPP in their eras also introducedamendments to make the central Bank autonomous. He said that our intent isto free the SBP from political influence.
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Shah Mahmood Qureshi, however, said the Board of Governors of State Bank ofPakistan will be appointed by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. He saidParliament is sovereign and all the reports of central Bank will comebefore it for scrutiny.
The Foreign Minister regretted the criticism of Leader of Opposition in theSenate against the Chair. He said the chair acted in accordance with therule and used his discretion to vote in favour of SBP Amendment bill.
