'The Post Office Bill, 2019': Senate panel asks Pakistan Post to consult law division

A parliamentary panel on Thursday asked Pakistan Post to consult Law Division on the proposed amendments and recommendations in "The Post Office Bill, 2019".
The Senate Standing Committee on Postal Services which met here with Khushbakht Shujaat in the chair, discussed 'The post office Bill, 2019', introduced by Senator Khushbakht Shujat in Senate in its sitting held on March 4, 2019 and referred by the Chairman Senate to the senate standing committee on postal services for consideration and finalizing the report for presentation in the House. Khushbakht Shujat said that as the committee is considering the bill introduced by her, therefore some other member of the committee may chair the meeting. On this Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan and Mirza Muhammad Afridi presented themselves voluntarily and reviewed the bill in detail.
Khushbakht Shujat said that Post office is working under Act 1898 which is not meeting the modern world requirements and there is need of several amendments. She said the bill was introduced with the objectives to make the Pakistan post at par with modern world and fulfill its requirements.
Secretary Postal Services and Director General Pakistan Post informed the committee in details about different sections of the bill. It was further informed that after reviewing the bill, Pakistan Post has incorporated some recommendations.
Besides, different definitions, e-facilities including electronic money transfer, e-post services, e-finance services, e-commerce services, e-government services, authority, penalties and other proposals were recommended for incorporation in the proposed bill. On which the committee members said that Law Division view may be sought on the recommendations /amendments proposed by the Pakistan post and in the light of that the bill may b reviewed.
The parliamentary panel also sought details of one million dollar under the Public Private Partnership (PPP), federal minister for Postal Services Murad Saeed he promised to bring by March 2019.
Senator Mirza Afridi said that the minister concerned had announced of bringing one million dollars under the public private partnership by March. Where is that amount and asked that the minister concerned should brief the committee on this matter. The committee was informed that the agreement has been made with NADRA under which 15000 outlets would be opened while 614 have already been opened.
The committee was further informed that the institution has 46000 employees of which 29000 are regular. The institution was in profit till 2009, however it is paying Rs 7 billion as pensions to its employees.
Total budget of the institution is Rs 18 billion where pension and salary is around Rs 16 billion. In fact Pakistan post is not in losses and going in profit. Except Pakistan Post and Pakistan Railways, the government is paying salaries and pensions of other departments.
Khushbakht Shujat said that until institutions are not given independence and authority, their performance could not be improved. She said there is dire need of up-gradation Pakistan Post guest houses.