Pre-legislative scrutiny is a process whereby draft legislation is offered to be considered by a committee, group or any individual before a draft law is formally placed before the law making authority. The process acts as an additional stage of scrutiny/examination and provides an opportunity for more detailed and considered analysis of a draft law and its contents. Pre-legislative scrutiny provides an opportunity for more considered debate and analysis of draft legislation. It provides a legitimate space for the articulation of stakeholder views and perspectives and enables citizens to influence legislation at a formative stage. In the long run, pre-legislative scrutiny can help improve the quality of legislation.
SECP also follows the process of pre-legislative scrutiny as required under the assigned statutes for the draft laws, rules or regulations as well as any amendment in the existing law, rules or regulations by publishing them in the official Gazette, newspapers and also placing the same on its website enabling stakeholders and public to send their comments at an early stage in the legislative process in order to take on broad different views and perspective. Effective operationalization of this provision of the assigned laws is an institutional mechanism through which the legislative process can be made more transparent and participatory. Internationally, in many countries, pre-legislative scrutiny is an established process through which citizens are encouraged to give their comments and feedback on proposed legislation.