Committee of the Whole Senate panel reviews police powers

Members suggest review of NAB law on plea bargain, improve process for filing FIRs

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Committee of the Whole on Monday approved proposals to form a special force for escorting prisoners, granting right of appeal in suo motu cases and for reviewing powers of police with regards to human rights as members suggested that laws for National Accountability Bureau be reviewed to clamp down on plea bargains.

The committee met with Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani in chair in the Senate Chamber on Monday to deliberate proposals and recommendations on providing swift and inexpensive justice to the people.

The committee deliberated on proposals for tackling misuse of authority, negligence of police and other concerned officers and proposed the establishment of a mechanism to punish negligent officials.

Members observed that hurdles in filing justified FIRs need to be eradicated while false and frivolous FIRs need to be discouraged.

They adopted proposals from provincial governments on creating a special force for escorting prisoners, granting right of appeal in suo motu cases and reviewing the powers of police regarding human rights at the provincial level.



The committee further suggested that laws of the accountability bureau, which allow the corrupt to wriggle out through plea bargains, be reviewed.  It was proposed that people who avail the plea bargain should not be termed ‘free of charge’.

Rabbani noted recommendations of members regarding the appointment of ad hoc judges under Article 182-A, adding that a draft of the proposed amendment will be introduced at the next meeting of the committee on Wednesday.

The committee rejected a suggestion of establishing Supreme Court in all provinces noting that it constituted a change in basic constitutional structure of the country.  Further, the Senate chairman said such changes do not fall under the purview of the Committee of the Whole.

The committee will on Tuesday (today) hear from experts on reforms for Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). Among those expected to present their recommendations include former Senator Afrasiab Khattak, analyst Rahimullah Yousafzai, President Fata Journalists Forum and President Fata Lawyers Forum.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2015.