ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
A meeting of the Senate of Standing Committee on Interior & Narcotics Control held on Monday, 13th March, 2017 in Committee Room No. 4, Parliament House Islamabad. The meeting was presided over by Senator A. Rehman Malik and attended by the committee members Senator Shibli Faraz, Senator Ch. Tanvir Khan and Senator Barrister Saif Ali Khan and Senator Muhammad Khan Swati, Senator Mian Muhammad Shiekh, Senator Sitara Ayaz and Senator Siraj ul Haq attended the meeting as special invitees and movers.
Committee was briefed by Mr. Baligh Ur Rehman, Minister of State of Interior & Narcotics Control, Additional Secretary Interior Ministry, Director FIA Dr. Mazar Ul Haq Kakakhel, Chairman PTA, DG NADRA, SSP Traffic Malik Matloob Hussain and other officials of the Ministry of Interior.
Senator A. Rehman Malik, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior moved Resolution of Condemnation which was unanimously passed by the members. In the resolution U.S Congressman Mr. Ted Poe was strongly condemned for his anti-Pakistan bill and the committee asked the Foreign Ministry to take up the issue with U.S Embassy lodging a protest to stop such anti-Pakistan moves. Senator A. Rehman Malik said that Pakistan’ sacrifices in war against terrorism are more than any country of the world, yet elements like Ted Poe are undermining Pakistan’s role instead to appreciate its daring actions against terrorists.
The text of the Resolution stated as “The Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control strongly condemns the US Congressman Ted Poe biased affiliation with Indian and his recent Anti-Pakistan Bill to undermine the stance of Pakistan on war against terror, as Pakistan has been an ally in war against terror and has sacrificed more than any other country in the world. This resolution may be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lodge a protest before the US Embassy in Pakistan to place before the President of United States to reject this Anti-Pakistan Bill”
The issue of Cyber Crimes was discussed in detail in the Committee meeting of today. The Committee strongly condemned the latest blasphemous posts and materials being spread on the social media. Senator A. Rehman Malik said that nothing is dearer to him and to every member of the committee than religion and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said that blasphemous materials are intolerable and serious actions must be taken to counter such anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan moves. Senator A. Rehman Malik questioned Chairman PTA that why was PTA unable to locate and block such materials and was there any agreement with servers providers to block such materials in Pakistan? He said that such blasphemous material should be proscribed following the models of UEA and other countries. Chairman Committee Senator A. Rehman Malik demanded that the Government should find and formulate short term and long term solutions in this regard. Senator A. Rehman Malik while expressing graver concerns said that sadly PTA and other concerned authorities could not even block the fake twitter account of Chairman Senate Mr. Mian Muhammad Raza Rabbani who has lodged complain regarding his fake account some one month ago. Senator A. Rehman Malik directed FIA to investigate the matter and block the fake account immediately and find the person behind fake account.
Committee took serious notice of the women harassment in Ptv and NADRA. Female anchors Tanzeela Mazhar and Yashfeen Jamal had complained to Chairman of committee against a male employee, Agha Masood Shorish, who they claimed, made alleged sexual advances towards them. Senator A. Rehman Malik said that it is matter of great disgrace and embarrassment that our daughters and sisters are facing such humiliating issues in working places particularly in government owned departments. He said such notorious acts must not be abetted by any influential of the country but should be condemned and discouraged by taking stern actions against those who are involved. He directed the FIA to initiate an inquiry into the harassment issue in Ptv being faced by female employees and submit a comprehensive report to the committee in two weeks. Regarding another case of harassment in NADRA related to a female employee Syeda Shaheen Bukhari, Senator A. Rehman Malik was not satisfied by the brief of NADRA and he re-directed the NADRA officials to brief the committee in next meeting as stern actions must be taken against those who are harassing females at work places.
Committee also considered the public petitions and necessary actions were granted accordingly. A petition related to people of Sulimankhel was considered by the committee who are facing terrible difficulties of getting CNIC and many of their CNIC are blocked by NADRA. The NADRA officials were directed to solve their problems on urgent basis. Meanwhile Senator A. Rehman Malik said that it is very serious issue as he is receiving complaints from many from FATA on daily basis that their CNIC are blocked being Pakistani nationals. He directed the NADRA authorities that Pashtuns and people of FATA must not be victimized in the name of Afghan refugees. He added that it is the responsibility of government to find out the genuine nationals and unblock their CNIC. FIA was directed in this regard to submit a detailed report on the issue that how 62 cases were surfaced being genuine Pakistanis as mentioned by Director FIA Dr. Mazhar ul Haq Kakakhel. Dr. Mazhar ul Haq Kakakhel told the committee that some 62 CNIC were blocked despite the facts that their nationality were duly verified by Political Agents and Deputy Commissioners but NADRA even then did not unblock all those.
Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was introduced by Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh on 9th January, 2017 was also discussed in detail. Senator A. Rehman Malik said that if certificates are made compulsory immediately certainly most of the poor people will lose their jobs. He added that we can bring reforms in Motor Vehicle through procedural system otherwise it will increase unemployment in our country while the ratio of unemployment is already higher in the country. Senator A. Rehman Malik said that however it is the need of the hour that written test should be made compulsory for acquiring traffic license and training centers should be opened for those who apply for driving licenses.
Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017 introduced by Senator Sirajul Haq on 16th January, 2017 regarding obscene material. The Bill pertaining to increase in time of imprisonment and fine was unanimously passed by the Committee. Chairman Senator A. Rehman Malik highly appreciated and thanked Senator Sirajul Haq on behalf of the Committee for bringing such needful amendments.
The Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2017 introduced by Senator Ch. Tanvir Khan on 13th February, 2017 was put before the committee. The Chairman Committee Senator A. Rehman Malik directed the Anti Narcotics Force to submit a comprehensive report and suggestions indicating their problems, difficulties and needs. Senator A. Rehman Malik also directed that the Ministry of Interior and ANF should have its own Advocate General to follow up the cases in the court.
The Chairman directed Secretary, Narcotics Control and representatives from ANF to hold a seminar which will be attended by the Committee and other concerned to strategize future course of action. On this issue, the Secretary, Narcotics Control requested for two month time for the arrangement of said seminar.
The code of criminal procedure (Amendment) bill, 2017 introduced by Senator Mohmmad Azam Khan Swation 13th February, 2017, the bill aims that no women shall be arrested in petty crimes and without warrant. Chairman Senator A. Rehman Malik said that all citizens are equal in front of law and there should not be any discrimination on the basis of gender. He said such flexibility in law will increase the chance of using women in terrorist activities and other crimes. The bill was differed for time being.