ISLAMABAD: In a significant legislative move, the Senate of Pakistan passed the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill 2023 on Monday, introducing a novel requirement for civil servants seeking top positions within government entities connected to infrastructure, energy, communication, and construction projects.
The bill, which was introduced by Rukhsana Zuberi from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), establishes that only civil servants with a background in engineering will be eligible to hold leadership roles in ministries, divisions, or departments involved in areas such as Power, Energy, Planning and Development, Railways, Housing and Works, Water Resources, Industries and Production, Information Technology and Telecommunication, Science and Technology, Aviation Division, Defence Production, Maritime Affairs, and Communication.
One of the bill’s central provisions dictates that such civil servants must be part of the Engineering Service of Pakistan and hold registration as professional engineers or engineers, as stipulated by the Pakistan Engineering Council Act 1976. This measure aims to ensure that individuals at the helm of crucial government functions possess the technical knowledge and expertise necessary to oversee complex projects in these vital sectors.
The Senate also succeeded in passing several other bills during the session. These include the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023, the Federal Ziauddin University Bill 2023, the Protection of Family Life and Wedlock Bill 2023, the Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2023, and the Prime University of Nursing, Sciences and Technology (PUNST) Islamabad Bill 2023.
Additionally, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani referred multiple new bills introduced in the house to relevant committees for further consideration.
One of the notable resolutions passed by the Senate in this session was a unanimous declaration designating August 5, 2019, as Black Day. This resolution expressed unwavering support for the innocent people of Kashmir living on the other side of the Line of Control. The resolution vehemently criticized the Indian government’s actions on August 5, 2019, specifically the abrogation of Articles 35-A and 370 of the Indian Constitution. The resolution denounced these actions as illegal and a direct violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.
Furthermore, the Senate passed a resolution recommending the change of the name of district Upper Waziristan to district Mehsud in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This resolution was presented by lawmakers including Dost Muhammad Khan, Fida Muhammad, Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani, Kauda Babar, Falak Naz, Gurdeep Singh, and Fawzia Arshad and was unanimously adopted by the house.
