Karachi can't be separated from Sindh: law minister.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Farogh Naseem Saturday said nobody will be allowed to divide Sindh, adding that Karachi cannot be separated from the province.

Addressing a press conference alongside Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat and KP Law Minister Sultan Khan, Barrister Naseem said the enforcement of Article 149 of the constitution will only empower and strengthen the local government systems in place across various provinces. "It is not a matter to be considered controversial in any way. First, I will advise everyone to read Article 149(4) of the constitution. There is nothing controversial in it ... except the provision to empower a local government, and there is a mechanism to dovetail it with Article 140A," he said. "And it won't be for Karachi alone. If the recommendation made by the federation proves successful, it will light the way for other cities of Sindh, Punjab, KP and Balochistan," he added.

The law minister clarified that the enforcement of Article 149 is not meant to create any divide between Karachi and Sindh. "We ourselves have avowed not to let Karachi segregate from the rest of the province," he said.

The law minister said promises for speedy and cheap justice made by the PTI government are being fulfilled. He said reforms in the country's existing laws will bring revolutionary changes for provision of speedy justice. He said Punjab and KP are on the same page with federal government about such reforms whereas Sindh and Balochistan will soon be taken onboard.

The minister said the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2019, will reduce civil litigation period to maximum two years. He said reforms in NAB laws are also being introduced in which better class in jails will not be provided to those accused of over Rs 5 million embezzlement.

He said for securing women rights, women ombudsman has been empowered which will exercise enforcement...