Protection of Pakistan Bill 2014 approved in NA

ISLAMABAD: The Protection of Pakistan Bill (PPB) 2014 was approved in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Express News reported.

Following the National Assembly’s approval, the PPB will now be applicable for a period of two years.

Minister of Science and Technology Zahid Hamid presented the bill in the assembly, where Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also present.

On June 30, the Senate had unanimously passed the ‘controversial’ PPB following consensus – albeit grudgingly – between the government and the opposition.

Described in the Senate session as a ‘hard’ law, the PPB widens the scope of law enforcement agencies’ powers. Hamid had presented the bill in the senate, in the absence of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. He had stated that the passage of the bill was of ‘utmost importance’ in light of the military operation in North Waziristan, codenamed 'Zarb-e-Azb'.

Where previously the PPB stated that the law would come into action in the event of ‘waging of war against Pakistan’, its amended form reads, ‘waging of war or insurrection against Pakistan’. Additionally, the term ‘enemy alien’ describes a person whose identity as a Pakistani is unascertainable.

The use of force by armed forces has been limited to officers of Grade-15 or above and an internal inquiry by the head of the relevant law enforcement agency will be held in the event of death through the use of force. If required, all such cases will be subject to a judicial inquiry. Meanwhile, the remand period for an accused has been fixed at 60 days and, on reasonable ground, the government has the right to hold a detainee for 90 days at a designated internment camp.

The Joint Investigation Team will have the right to withhold a detainee’s information except from a High Court or Supreme Court. The government may not disclose a detainee’s information for security reasons. Additionally, on reasonable grounds, the burden of proof lies upon an ‘enemy alien’ or militant.

Cybercrimes and offences related to information technology, as well as the crossing of national boundaries illegally have been included in the list of scheduled offences. Punishments under these offences can be extended to 20 years. The PPB states that special courts will be formed in consultation with the chief justices of the High Courts and appeals against the special courts’ decisions can be made in the High Courts.

JI condemns approval of PPB, terms it undeclared martial law

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq on Wednesday condemned the approval of the Protection of Pakistan Bill (PPB) by the Senate, terming it an undeclared martial law and conspiracy to deprive citizens of their basic rights.

Addressing JI’s central office bearers at Mansoora in Lahore on Wednesday, he said that the PPB violated the basic spirit of the Constitution which guaranteed basic rights to citizens.

Declaring that JI would not allow any change in the basic structure of the Constitution, Haq appealed to all political parties and human rights bodies to raise their voices against the ‘black law’.

The adoption of the PPB was a black deed of a civilian government of which there was no precedent - even during dictatorial rule, he said. He asked the rulers to give up dictatorial tendencies and adopt a democratic, parliamentary attitude.

The JI chief said the PPB would open up gates for unscrupulous killings by state institutions, and urged the Supreme Court (SC) not to endorse the PPB under any circumstance. The PPB would have grave consequences, as the common man had been denied his freedom and the area police in-charge had been given unlimited powers, he warned.

Haq further lamented that the influential will exploit the new law to deal with their political opponents and there would be competition among ministers, advisors and assembly members for appointments of SHOs of their choice.

The JI chief added there was no justification in detaining a citizen for 60 days merely on suspicion, and that this move would lead to anarchy and chaos. Authorising the police and security agencies to shoot a citizen was bound to create an atmosphere of fear and harassment all over the country, and the law would be used to stifle the opposition’s voice.