ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Tuesday passed "Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill, 2020" with a majority vote.
According to "Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment ) Bill, 2020," "The investigating officer, may with the permission of Court, within sixty days of such permission, use techniques including undercover operation, intercepting communications, accessing computer system and controlled delivery for investigation of financing of terrorism under the law in force. The aforementioned period of sixty days may be extended up to further period of sixty days by the Court on the request made to it in writing. The Court may grant extension, if it is satisfied, on the basis of situation/reasons given in the written request. The provision of this sub-section shall be addition to and not in derogation or any other law for the time being in force."
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government also introduced "The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2020" to prevent hatred and disrespectful behavior against the armed forces.
The bills were not part of routine business agenda of the house. The bills were added to the agenda by moving a motion in the house. The house passed the Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill, 2020 with a majority vote without referring it to relevant Standing Committee of the National Assembly. The opposition members protested against the bills.
Faheem Khan of the PTI tabled, "The Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill, 2020" in the house for passage, while Amjad Ali Khan introduced, "The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2020".
The Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill, 2020 seeks to fulfill certain requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in order to bring the country out of FATF grey list.
According to "the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2020", "Whosoever intentionally ridicules, brings into disrepute of defames the Armed Force of Pakistan or a member thereof, he shall be guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees, or with both."
The objectives and reasons of the bill state that the purpose of this amendment is to prevent hatred and disrespectful behavior against the armed forces. Strict action should be taken against those bringing disrepute to the Armed Forces institution in accordance with the law.
Earlier, the National Assembly was informed that the National Disaster Management Authority has been carrying out relief and rescue operations in the rain-hit areas across the country.
Responding to a calling attention notice, Advisor on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan said currently Chairman NDMA, Lt General Muhammad Afzal, along with teams of experts, is visiting Sindh to personally monitor the relief efforts.
He said food packages and tents have also been distributed among the rain-affected people across Pakistan.
He said that 136 deaths were reported due to rains in Sindh province where 2,000 houses were fully damaged, while 137,178 partially damaged. He said that 8,779 people were rescued in Karachi.
He said that armed forces, NDMA and provincial government were involved in rescue and providing facilities to the affected people. He said that 420 tons of food items and 4,000 tents were distributed among the affected people in Sindh.
The deputy speaker referred the Calling Attention Notice to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat for further discussion.
Responding to another Calling Attention Notice about beggars in Islamabad, Parliamentary Secretary Interior Shaukat Ali told the House that as many as 10,988 beggars have been arrested during the current year so far.
While giving a breakup, he said that out of total arrested beggars, 2,727 were men, 1,882 women, 2,941 boys and 1,788 girls besides 206 transgenders. The Parliamentary Secretary said that beggary is a social evil but the menace witnessed an upward trend.
He said the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration had set up 'Mujahid Force' to arrest the professional beggars.
He said the detain beggars were presented before magistrate for legal action, he said.
However, he said the beggars could only be penalized under sections 9-10 of 1958 Act and had nominal punishment. He said that strict punishment could be awarded to professional beggars and the gangs involved in the menace.
The Parliamentary Secretary said the ICT Administration recently arrested a gang involved in beggary. He said that after investigation, it was revealed that some eight police personnel were also involved. Later, the involved police personnel were suspended and after a proper inquiry, they were dismissed from service and send to jail, he said.
The deputy speaker National Assembly referred the matter to the standing committee for further deliberation and bringing proper legislation for this purpose.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020