Islamabad, 11 Oct 2023:In a comprehensive meeting presided over by Senator Mohsin Aziz, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior, at Parliament House on Wednesday, vital issues spanning amendments in criminal laws to the operational dynamics of national organizations were keenly discussed. This meeting saw a potent exchange of ideas and revelations about various facets of the nation’s internal operations and legislations, according to a press release from the Senate of Pakistan.
The Senate Committee deliberated extensively on “The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023”, spearheaded by Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, that seeks to address the surging trend of false accusations and malevolent criminal prosecutions by proposing an enhancement in the punishment duration through amendments in Section 182 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Schedule-II of the Code of Criminal Procedure. While the provinces are yet to respond to a query on the matter, the committee awaits an update following receipt of their inputs, as per the Special Secretary of the Interior.
The Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) briefed the Senate body about its functionalities, accomplishments, and challenges. In the dialogue, the Additional Director General (PCG) communicated that the organization, with a strength of 5,671, primarily from the Armed Forces, is committed to thwarting smuggling and illegal immigration along the coastal belt. Despite financial limitations, notable achievements have been recorded, such as the seizing of 19.25 Ton of Narco in the past year and interception of 2,555 migrants from various nationalities trying to cross the coastal area illicitly. The committee acknowledged the PCG’s significant contributions and identified an urgent need to amplify the organization’s capabilities.
Issues related to fake Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) and unauthorized availability of citizens’ family data were also brought to the table. The Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) attributed these activities to both internal and external factors and cited the lack of a ‘Privacy of Data Law’ as a loophole that perpetrators exploit. With 84 officials suspended in connection to these activities, the committee accentuated the necessity for modern solutions to effectively address the prevailing issues.
A discussion on the problems confronted by the Mehsud tribe in acquiring passports in Karachi revealed that delays are due to individuals obtaining passports outside their respective districts, violating existing rules, as pointed out by the Director-General of Passport and Immigration, Mustafa Jamal Kazi. In addition to this, the lack of modern technology adoption by the Passport and Immigration department, despite accruing a revenue of 39 billion Rupees last year, was recognized as a substantial barrier to timely passport issuance.
Lastly, the Senate Employees Cooperative Housing Society matter was discussed, focusing on plot possession details and the number of eligible allottees. After administrative issues and a name change to the Federal Residents Cooperative Housing Society post-receiving a non-affiliation notice from the Senate of Pakistan, the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad provided a brief history. The committee has sought thorough answers on issues, including payment details made by Senate employees for membership, to foster a detailed analysis of the situation in future dialogues.
The committee also ratified Senator Asad Ali Junejo as a Member of the BoG of NACTA, marking an end to the day’s discussions, which saw participation from Senators and high-ranking officials from various relevant departments.