ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet has approved the Criminal Procedure (Penal Code) Amendment Bill, 2024 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The approval came at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House on Tuesday. Several important decisions were taken on the occasion, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The amendment in CRPC aims to simplify the process of registration of First Information Reports (FIR), enable the use of modern technology in investigations, forensic technology and enable audio-video recording of witness statements.
Furthermore, the amendment included a provision to strengthen the role of the public prosecutor in the investigation. The public prosecutor will be able to point out any deficiencies or deficiencies in the police report.
According to these amendments, women, natural persons under the age of 12, men over the age of 70 and persons with physical or mental disabilities will be able to record their statements in a place that suits them.
The amendments also stipulated that the court of first instance will issue a judgment within one year, and in case of delay, the relevant high court will be held responsible. In addition, the Court of Appeal will be required to rule on any appeal within six months to one year.
Further, in cases where the police investigation finds the accused innocent and prepares a discharge report, the accused would be eligible for bail.
The session was informed by the Ministry of Information Technology that e-office has been fully implemented in 18 federal government divisions.
It was noted that this was the first time such a large-scale implementation of e-office was done in the federal government, marking a significant step towards a paperless economy.
The ministry told the meeting that if the e-office is fully implemented, there is a potential saving of up to Rs 230 crore on stationery and fuel costs.
The Prime Minister commended Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima and officials of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications for their efforts.
He also appreciated the performance of the ministers and secretaries of those divisions where e-office was fully implemented.
The Federal Cabinet also took several important decisions, which included the approval of the National Registration and Biometrics Policy Framework 2024 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Cabinet approved the establishment of an Intellectual Property Tribunal in Quetta.
On December 20, 2018, the Federal Cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice, approved the signing of the UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements Arising from Arbitration.
It also dismissed the appeal of Karachi Port Trust HR Manager Arbab Ans against his dismissal.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Petroleum, the Cabinet approved changes to Form EL-01 under the Explosives Rules 2010 relating to licenses for the preparation of high density explosive materials.
The federal cabinet approved the transfer of Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai Pallas Kohistan districts from Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) to Hazara Electric Power Company (HEPCO) on the recommendation of the Ministry of Power, Power Division.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the cabinet approved the inclusion of a section related to the oath of definitive prophethood in marriage certificates in the capital city of Islamabad.
The Cabinet Secretariat presented reports to Cabinet on the implementation of the Policy Guidelines for Federal Affairs for 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The Cabinet also received reports from the Cabinet Division regarding the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for the last three years. These reports will now be sent to the Council of Common Interests.
Besides, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately take steps to address the shortage of medicines in Parachinar and liaise with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in this regard.
The Federal Cabinet confirmed the decisions taken during the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State Enterprises held on 4 December 2024 and the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Intergovernmental Transactions held on 20 and 21 November 2024.
