The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Thursday passed a criminal law amendment bill seeking abolishing a colonial penal law by decriminalizing the attempt of suicide, with some amendments. The meeting which met with Senator Abdul Rehman Malik passed "The Pakistan Penal Code, 1860" and "The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2017" moved by Senator Karim Ahmed Khawaja with amendment that the attempt of suicide by any person will not be considered as crime under the law only if someone is diagnosed with depression or any illnesses after the medical examination.
Professor Dr Qibla Ayaz, Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), said that suicide is forbidden in Islam but as per the Council's recommendation regarding attempt of suicide, the law should not be applied over those who attempted suicide if they are diagnosed with depression or any illness after the medical examination. "Those attempt suicide due to depression or any illness must be sent to rehabilitation center so that they can receive treatment," he said.
After a detailed discussion, the committee conducted voting on the bill and passed the bill with six voted in favor and one vote in opposition. Senator Syed Shibli Faraz voted against the bill. According to Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860: "Whoever attempts to commit suicide and does any act towards the commission of such offence shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both."
A panel of renowned psychiatrists also attended the meeting who highlighted the state of mind of frustrated individuals who opt to take their own life, saying whosoever does it should be treated as a patient rather than prosecuting them for a failed suicide attempt.
They said that an attempted suicide can be an indicator of many other issues, the first and foremost being frustration, adding many countries have abolished punishment for the offence. Malik said that attempted suicide is a disease rather than an offence. He said that many countries across the world and also the United Nations have termed suicide a disease.
According to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, last stage of frustration often results in attempted suicide and it is the duty of the state to provide relief to its citizens. Instead of penalizing those who may already be suffering, "it is, therefore, expedient to omit Section 325 of the PPC, 1860, the entries relating to Section 325 in Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and provide rehabilitation facilities."
However, a senior official of Ministry of Interior said that ministry opposed the amendment bill as omission of Section 325 would encourage people to suicide attempt therefore it should be remained for deterrence. The Committee has also approved "The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2017" moved by Senators Mukhtiar Dhamra and Murtaza Wahab.
Malik formed a special committee comprising Senator Muhammad Ali Saif and Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi as its members to further elaborate "The Miscarriage of Justice (Compensation) Bill, 2017" moved by Senator Azam Swati. Other than these three bills, the committee also discussed. "The Criminal Laws (Amendment) (Protection of Rights of Transgender Persons) Bill, 2017" moved by Senator Rubina Khalid. The committee heard the chairman CII on the matter who told the committee that Council's meeting is scheduled to be held on January 17 on the said issue and the Council will report to the committee in a few days after the meeting.
Sultan Azam Taimori, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, briefed the committee on the incident of attack on a journalist Ahmed Noorani. The victim was also present in the meeting who apprised the committee of his grievances. The matter of substandard ink being used on front page of official passports was also discussed. The DG Passports was directed to resolve the issue and report back to the committee in a month.
The committee strongly condemned the terror attack on Bethel Memorial Church Quetta on December 18, 2017 in which nine innocent people were killed. The committee expressed sympathies with bereaved families. One minute silence was observed for the victims of terrorist attack to pay them homage.
The committee appreciates the timely action by Balochistan police and a security guard on duty who killed the suicide bomber. The committee recommends awarding "Sitara-e-Shujaat" for him for his excellent professional judgment and courage." Senators Shibli Faraz, Shahi Syed, Tahir Mashhadi, Jehanzeb Jamaldini, Javed Abbasi, Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, Sardar Fateh Hassani, Rubina Khalid, Azam Swati, Mukhtiar Dhamra and Karim Ahmed Khawaja, and senior officials of Ministry of Interior also attended the meeting.
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