Senate Committee considers three important bills.

ISLAMABAD -- A Meeting of the Senate Standing committee on Maritime Affairs under the chairpersonship of Senator Rubina Khalid was held here at the Parliament House on Monday. Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi also attended the meeting.

The Port Qasim Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021, The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2021and The Gwadar Port Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021 were considered.

The Secretary, Maritime Affairs Committee informed the Committee that only 21 sections of the Port Qasim Authority ACT, 1973 are being amended. Similarly, only 13 sections of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation Ordinance 1979 are being amended and that only 25 sections of Gwadar Port Authority Ordinance, 2002 were being amended.

A detailed discussion between the members of the committee and the Ministry officials took place on whether or not such amendments can take place by law. Senator Maula Bux Chandio, while relying on the Judgment of the Supreme Court of the Mustafa Impex Case, commented that such an amendment violates the Supreme Court's judgments.

The Ministry briefed the committee that no constitutional change is taking place. In addition, the Ministry referred to Article 98 of the constitution, conferring functions on subordinate authorities on the recommendation of the Federal Government, Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) by law.

The Minister, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, while addressing the concern of the members of the committee on change in the Bill in contrast to the constitution, commented that if the committee members apprehend that any change has been taken in violation of the constitution, it should be pointed out and be submitted in black and white. The officials of the...