DLP Report
PESHAWAR
A series of crucial high-level committee meetings were held here on Thursday, chaired by Minister for Law, Human Rights, and Parliamentary Affairs, Aftab Alam Advocate.
The discussions focused on pressing provincial issues concerning law, public order, and public health.
The meetings saw the participation of key provincial ministers, senior officials, and legal experts.
Among the attendees were Minister for Local Government and Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi, Minister for Public Health Engineering Fazal Shakoor Khan, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzammil Aslam, Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel, and other senior officials from relevant departments, including Health Secretary Shahidullah Khan and Law Secretary Akhtar Saeed Turk.
The first meeting reviewed the Supreme Court’s ruling dated December 5, 2024, regarding the regularization of contract employees under the Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI).
The Health Department presented a detailed legal analysis of the court’s verdict, and several legal and administrative options were discussed to implement the decision in line with existing laws and provincial policies.
Presentations and working papers were shared, and consultations were held to formulate final recommendations on the matter.
A second meeting, also chaired by Minister Aftab Alam, focused on law and order concerns, particularly the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), and Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The committee reviewed the current law enforcement mechanisms, the protection of civil liberties, and the practical application of these laws.
During the discussions, Minister Aftab Alam emphasized that the primary aim of laws relating to terrorism and public order is to protect the lives and property of citizens.
However, he stressed that the enforcement of such laws must be aligned with the Constitution, human rights, and the rule of law.
He called for the use of provisions like Section 144 and MPO to be limited to exceptional situations, applied transparently, and in accordance with legal limits to ensure public trust.
The committee directed the relevant departments to enhance the mechanisms for implementing, monitoring, and reviewing these laws, ensuring that systems are in place to prevent misuse or abuse of power.
Minister Aftab Alam reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, maintaining peace, and protecting citizens’ rights.
