After fierce opposition from parliamentarians, Senate Chairman refers the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill 2023 to its relevant standing committee
PTI, Pakistan Democratic Movement’s component party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the National Party opposed the bill in the Senate.
Senate members strongly condemn terrorist attack in Bajaur & call for evolving an effective strategy to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from country
Ishaq Dar says we need to introspect as to how terrorism is again on the rise in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
After fierce opposition from parliamentarians, Senate Chairman Mir Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Wednesday referred the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill 2023 to its relevant standing committee for debate in order to reach a consensual decision over the matter.
The bill was tabled by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Chaudhry Azam Nazeer Tarar Advocate in the upper house of parliament. The bill, however, saw strong opposition from the treasury and the opposition benches in the house.
The former ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ruling alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement’s component party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the National Party opposed the bill in the Senate.
Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) senior leader and former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan also voiced against the proposed amendments to the Official Secrets Act 1923. The members were also demanding of the Senate chairman to reject the bill immediately.
A day earlier, the outgoing government get the bill passed through the National Assembly. The bill seeking to amend the law was tabled in the house by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi.
The statement of objects and reasons of the bill says that it is imperative to amend the Official Secrets Act 1923 and make it more effective in view of the changing social milieu to ensure the safety and security of official documents.
According to a new insertion 2(A) in Section 11 of the Official Secrets Act 1923, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in future, the intelligence agencies, may at any time, can enter and search a place or a person without warrant, and if necessary, by use of force and seize any document, sketch, plan, model, article, note, weapon, ammunition, electronic or modern device or anything of like nature, or anything which is or can be evidence of any offence committed, or suspecting of been committed under this Act.
Another insertion 12A says that under this Act, the investigation officer shall be an officer of the FIA not below the rank of BPS-17 or equivalent, and he shall be designated by the FIA director general. If the DG deems necessary, he may appoint a Joint Investigation Team consisting of officers of intelligence agencies as he may appoint.
The JIT, according to the bill, will complete its inquiry within 30 days. The case, if relates to civil espionage, will be investigated by the FIA or JIT.
However, according to an amendment in Clause b of Section 12, the punishment for an offence has been reduced from 14 to 10 years. The amendment clause says other than an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, shall be a cognisable and bailable offence.
Earlier in National Assembly, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali protested the introduction and passage of the bill in haste on the same day even without provision of its copies to members. However, copies of the bill in the English language were distributed among the members immediately. Chitrali said that it was also a violation of the Constitution that copies of the bill in Urdu language were not distributed and the same has been happening for the last few days.
Members of the Upper House have strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Bajaur
Members of the Upper House have strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Bajaur and called for evolving an effective strategy to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country.
Taking part in the discussion, JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri strongly condemned the terrorist attack as it was aimed at destabilizing the country. He reiterated that his party will not hesitate in rendering any sacrifice for the cause of Islam and Pakistan.
Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said we need to introspect as to how terrorism is again on the rise in Pakistan. He said terrorism should be eliminated to make Pakistan a cradle of peace. He questioned as to who had allowed terrorists to settle again in Pakistan. He urged the Chair to arrange a detailed in-camera briefing from the Interior Ministry so that a comprehensive and effective plan can be chalked out to fight terrorism.
Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said the National Security Committee should brief the House over the security situation in the country. He said joint efforts are needed to fully defeat the menace of terrorism.
Haji Hidayat Ullah said perpetrators of the Bajaur terrorist attack should be taken to task to set an example.
Dost Muhammad Khan demanded of the Federal Government to announce a compensation package for the victims of the Bajaur incident.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar assured to take up the matter of announcing a compensation for the victims of the Bajaur incident with the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and at the cabinet level.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan said it is the responsibility of the federal and the provincial authorities as well as the security agencies to protect life and liberty of the citizens of Pakistan. He also demanded that the government should announce compensation for the victims of the Bajaur incident. He proposed that an in-camera session of the Parliament should be held to discuss the matter and to evolve a comprehensive strategy to fight terrorism.
Bahramand Tangi said we should refrain from political point scoring on the Bajaur incident and all stakeholders, including all political forces, to join hands in fighting the terrorism. He also emphasised on honouring and recognizing martyrs of the armed forces.
Tahir Bizinjo said Pakistan needs to review its Afghan policy and a new strategy should be in place in consultation with all the political forces of the country. He said peace can only be restored in Pakistan by having good relations with all the neighbouring countries and resolving conflicts through dialogue.
The House also offered fateha for the departed souls of martyrs, who laid down their lives in the terrorist attack in Bajaur. Maulana Attaur Rehman led the fateha.
The Senate on Wednesday passed several bills. These include: “The Pakistan Civil Aviation Bill, 2023”, “The Pakistan Air Safety Investigations Bill, 2023”, “The National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill, 2023” and “The Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, 2023.”