NA passes bill on bio, toxin weapons

The National Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, 1972 [The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (Implementation) Bill, 2024].

"The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (Implementation) Bill, 2024," the legislation was introduced by Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal. The bill has been introduced to give an effect to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction.

Under the proposed bill, a complete ban on biological weapons will be enforced in Pakistan.

According to its Clause 1(a), any person attempting to design, develop, produce, stockpile, transport, import, export, sell, transfer, control, or maintain biological weapons for prohibited purposes, in violation of the law, will be subject to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 25-year imprisonment, along with a fine of up to Rs10 million.

Additionally, all materials, equipment, technology, and movable or immovable property related to biological weapons will be confiscated by the federal government.

Clause 1(b) states that any person involved in acquiring or maintaining materials, equipment, or technology for the purposes of producing biological weapons, or obtaining means of delivery designed for the use of biological weapons or toxic substances for hostile purposes or armed conflict, or providing technical, financial, logistical, or other assistance directly or indirectly will face up to 25 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs10 million. Upon conviction, all equipment, technology related to biological weapons, and the movable and immovable property of the individual will be confiscated by the federal government.

According to Clause 4 of the proposed bill, the use of biological weapons will be completely prohibited. No individual shall use or attempt to use biological weapons within Pakistan or abroad.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly witnessed the introduction of a bill further to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 [The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2025].

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Azam Nazeer Tarar, presented the bill, stating that it incorporates approximately 108 amendments.

Sharing the highlights of the proposed amendments, the minister emphasized the importance of robust discussion during the committee stage to ensure comprehensive review and refinement.

The bill is expected to undergo detailed deliberations in the relevant parliamentary committee before being returned to the House for further debate and approval. The chair referred the bills to the standing committees concerned.