Committee on Interior, Narcotics: Senate panel approves tweak in criminal law

Suggests an increase in maximum punishment in cases of forced marriages

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control on Tuesday approved the criminal law (Amendment) bill, 2016.

The committee approved amendments in section 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code asking for including words like ‘inciting religious, sectarian or ethnic hatred’ and increasing the maximum term of punishment from one year to three years.

The committee’s chairman Senator Rehman Malik said that there should be no concession given to extremists and terrorists as strong laws and severe punishments were needed to deal with the menace of terrorism.

It also approved amendment in section 498B which relates to forced marriages. The amendment asks for an increase in the maximum punishment in case the victim is a minor between the ages of 5 and 10 or a non-Muslim.

The majority of the Senators approved the bill already passed by the National Assembly. The minister of state for interior was advised that separate amendment as per the observation of Senators may be moved.

Senator Malik urged the committee to take serious notice of closure of Pak-Turk schools which will put the future of thousands of our students in jeopardy. “We value Pak-Turk friendship but friendship never asks to close schools,” he said.

Malik also asked the committee to submit a report on the visa information of Turk teachers working in Pakistan. He said that it is against diplomatic rules and norms to deport someone without a reason in a humiliating way.

He also asked for a report on the ongoing Madrassah reforms. The ministry was asked about actions taken so far regarding madrassah reforms to bring them into mainstream.

Malik said that as interior minister he had brought scholars of all sects on a table and formulated an agreement. He said the role of women de-radicalisation was important and recommended that females should be inducted in NACTA.

The committee also discussed The Corporal Punishment Bill, 2016 by Senator Saleem Mandviwala. After discussing the ambit of jurisdiction and the criterion for violation, the committee Chairman constituted a sub-committee with Senator Tahir Mashhadi as its convener.

The sub-committee, interior ministry, law ministry, and the mover will finalise the draft of the bill.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2016.