Senate body on interior okays three bills

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Committee on Interior Thursday approved three bills, the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and the National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance, 2000, aimed at amending crucial legal frameworks.

Chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz at the Parliament House, the committee passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposed by Senator Shahadat Awan, which includes the insertion of a new Section 297A in PPC and subsequent amendments to Cr.P.C.

The bill, unanimously supported, stresses preservation of dignity of human corpse and imposes a fine of Rs500,000.

Another bill introduced by Senator Shahadat Awan, involving amendments to Sections 292, 293, and 294 of PPC and subsequent amendments to Cr.P.C., was also passed with amendments, despite concerns raised by the chairman regarding proposed sentence enhancements.

Additionally, the committee approved amendments to the National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance, 2000, proposed by Senator Fawzia Arshad, after thorough deliberation. However, a bill related to the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking (Amendment) was withdrawn as the relevant ordinance had already been repealed in 2018.

Furthermore, a bill for amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, proposed by Senator Shahadat Awan, was deferred.

In discussions addressing public concerns, the committee recommended establishing a joint

check-post at Hub Chowki to address security issues faced by commuters travelling from Balochistan to Karachi.

Moreover, the committee deliberated on the demolition of a Hindu temple in Mithi District of Tharparkar and recommended similar action against individuals encroaching on the state land.

Committee Chairman Senator Mohsin Aziz concluded the meeting by expressing gratitude to committee members and ministry officials for their support and active participation.

In response, members and officials commended Senator Mohsin Aziz for his effective leadership.

The meeting was attended by senators Saifullah Abro, Danesh Kumar, Fawzia Arshad, Kamil Ali Agha, Shahadat Awan, Waqar Mehdi, and Aon Abbas, along with senior officials from relevant departments.