LAHORE: The Punjab Standing Committee of the Cabinet on Legislative Business and Privatisation on Monday took up a wide ranging legislative agenda, endorsing a series of proposals aimed at strengthening institutional governance, improving judicial processes and advancing regulatory reforms across Punjab.
A key proposal discussed by the committee was an amendment to the Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Act, 2025. The Home Department recommended granting autonomous status to the centre. The committee endorsed the draft bill. The panel also approved a proposal to absorb the Punjab Forensic Science Agency into the Punjab Forensic Science Authority under the Punjab Forensic Science Authority Act, 2025. In response to a request from the Lahore High Court, the committee supported the establishment of a court of an additional sessions judge at Tehsil Hazro in Attock district.
Amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 were also endorsed to address growing security concerns. The proposed changes would allow anti-terrorism courts to conduct protected and unidentifiable proceedings through secure technological means in cases involving high security risks. The measure is aimed at ensuring the safety of judges, prosecutors, investigators and witnesses, while upholding constitutional guarantees of fair trial and due process.
The committee further backed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Rules, 1969, following changes introduced through the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2026. The revised rules provide for the issuance of juvenile driving permits, specifying age limits, restrictions on motorcycle engine capacity and speed, and prohibiting minors from driving on highways and ring roads. The system will be linked with the Driving Licence Information Management System to ensure effective enforcement.
In the environmental sector, the panel endorsed a proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for cooperation on the design, implementation and evaluation of an emissions trading system for air pollution control in Punjab. The meeting also approved a draft amendment to the Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre Act, 2025.
