November 26 incident echoes in Senate

Senate approves National Forensic Agency Bill-2024

Listen to article

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) repeated its call for the formation of judicial commission to investigate the incidents of November 26, as the Senate continued its discussion on the opposition party's protest march in Islamabad last month.

During the session, with Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani in the chair, PTI's Aun Abbas Bappi warned the government not to take the party's offer for dialogue as weakness. However, Balochistan Awami Party Senator Manzoor Kakar said that the PTI was reaping what sowed during its tenure in the government.

Bappi said that the PTI would not compromise on its honour for the sake of dialogue. He said if their offer was mocked by the government, then there would be no talks. He demanded that a judicial commission should be formed to probe into the incidents of November 26.

Bappi also criticised the government, saying that whenever, the PTI announced its protest, the government would invite a foreign dignitary. "They invite only those people whom no one in the world invites," he alleged.

Bappi demanded of the Senate chairman to issue a production order for Senator Ijaz Chaudhry. On that GIlani told the house that he had referred the matter of Chaudhry to the law and interior ministries as well as the provincial government. "I think the government is seriously considering it," he said.

Senator Kakar in his speech criticised Bappi for his claims. He said when Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was coming to Islamabad saying that he would come and get his leader out of jail, then what treatment he would get from the authorities.

"Today you are angry because you are not being adopted," he said. "You are defaming Pakistan. Is Pakistan gone that far that no one wants to come here? You are reaping what you sowed," Kakar said in direct reference to the PTI.

Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously approved the National Forensic Agency Bill-2024. The house also passed the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Amendment Bill-2024, after accepting some amendments to the bill proposed by the senators.

The National Forensic Agency Bill, aimed at integrating digital and cyber forensics to combat crimes involving electronic devices, deep fakes, and other electronic offenses. Moreover, it will also develop a centre of excellence to make it a self-sustainable agency.

The bill, aimed at transforming the National Forensics Agency (NFA) project into a full-fledged, independent agency, was introduced by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on October 17.

"The NFA will integrate digital and cyber forensics to combat crimes involving electronic devices, deep fakes, and other electronic offenses," read a statement of aims and objectives of the bill.

Moreover, the NFA will also develop a center of excellence and R&D department to make it a self-sustainable agency. Furthermore, it will also envisage developing indigenous solutions to minimise the dependence on foreign governments and agencies, it added.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the bill. Senators Quratulain Marri and Zamir Hussain Ghumro moved their amendments, while were passed by the house. Later, the session was adjourned until Monday evening.