The federal government has decided to overhaul the legal and administrative framework of district administration across the country, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sought recommendations. To facilitate this, an 18-member committee has been constituted.
A formal gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat — following the prime minister’s approval — gives the committee a deadline of one month to submit its proposals, according to Express News.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has been appointed convener, with Establishment Minister Ahsan Cheema as co‑convener. The committee comprises several high-level officials including Prime Minister’s Adviser Toghik Shah, the attorney general, secretaries of the cabinet, commerce, and power divisions, and chief secretaries from the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit‑Baltistan. The panel also includes Nabeel Awan, Nasir Mahmood Khosa, Agha Wasif, Pasand Khan Belidi and Naseem Sadiq among its members.
The committee is charged with conducting a comprehensive review of the district administration’s legal and regulatory setup and will propose measures to improve governance, public service delivery, and operational efficiency.
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Its mandate includes examining how district administration functions in maintaining public order and redress of grievances — both prior to and following the 2001 devolution reforms. Additionally, a comparative analysis of law enforcement and local legislation implementation will be undertaken, drawing on administrative models from other countries.
Empowered to recommend amendments to existing laws, including codes of conduct, the committee is expected to align its proposals with government policies, strengthen local institution coordination, and suggest new legislation to enhance the role of district administration in maintaining law and order and enforcing local and special laws.
The Cabinet Division will provide the necessary secretarial support, and the committee may co‑opt additional members as its work progresses.
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