Senate clears Criminal Laws (Amend) Bill: Push to end death penalty for specific crimes
The bill mainly replaces death penalty with life imprisonment in the cases involving aforementioned offences.
Interior State Minister Talal Chaudhry presented the bill in the Senate session, following its passage by the relevant standing committee earlier, presided over by Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan.
The senators including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Parliamentary Leader in Senate Ali Zafar and Samina Mumtaz Zehri from Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) opposed the bill— that was still passed by the House.
'In my opinion, this is a very serious offence—that warrants death penalty,' Zafar said, adding that the law endorsing death penalty in above-mentioned cases was passed by the Senate and the National Assembly after thorough consideration.
Zehri, who is also the Chairperson of Senate's Functional Committee on Human Rights, supported death penalty in cases involving serious assault on women, saying, more stringent laws be introduced and implemented in this regard.
'From where did this thought come to our minds that severity of a punishment can stop a crime?' the law minister responded.
'This myth is wrong,' the minister argued.
'There is no death penalty in the entire Europe. The crime rate is only two percent. Jails are empty there. They are converting their jails to museums—on the other hand, we have death penalty for 80, 90 or 100 crimes—but crime rate here touches the sky,' he added.
'Unfortunately, the Senate and the National Assembly did not pass this law. It came from a martial law administrator,' he said, referring to Zia-ul-Haq.
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in an effort to comply with the requirements of GSP+, and Pakistan's international commitments under ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), three meetings with all stakeholders were held—to review reduction of the death penalty in order to bring it in line with international law and Islamic jurisprudence.
The Statement adds that the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control proposed the draft Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposing omission of death penalty from Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 with an alternative punishment of life imprisonment in the relevant sections.
Meanwhile, the House also passed the Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Also, the National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority Ordinance 2025 was laid in the House. The Senate session was adjourned till Monday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
FAPUASA for withdrawal of ‘The Universities and Institutes Laws Act'
LAHORE: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) Punjab Chapter strongly condemned 'The Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Act 2025.' The FAPUASA called for immediate withdrawal of legislation and launched protest drive. In this regard, the FAPUASA, Punjab Chapter, held an emergency meeting on Sunday to express strong opposition to the recently passed Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Act 2025 by the Punjab Assembly. The meeting, presided over by Dr Muhammad Islam (President, FAPUASA Punjab) and moderated by Dr Riaz Hussain Khan Sindhr (Secretary, FAPUASA Punjab), was attended by faculty representatives, including presidents of academic staff associations of Punjab University, Bahauddin Zakaria University, and Islamia University Bahawalpur, from universities across the province. Participants unanimously condemned the Act, which mandates the inclusion of three sitting MPAs in the syndicates of both public and private universities, viewing it as a serious infringement on university autonomy and academic freedom. The FAPUASA declared that the legislation is not a reform, but a regressive move to politicize higher education institutions. The forced excessive political presence in university decision-making bodies undermines the independence of academic institutions, marginalizes faculty, and threatens the intellectual future of Pakistan. Terming the legislation a 'licence to destroy higher education for political domination,' the participants warned that it sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to further erosion of academic freedom. The house urged the governor Punjab, in his role as chancellor of universities, to deny assent to the bill and take immediate steps to preserve the autonomy of higher education institutions. They demanded that the government withdraw the legislation through new parliamentary action and align the governance structures of newer universities with the acts of older institutions ensuring meaningful faculty representation. Participants emphasised that real reform must involve academics as primary stakeholders and respect global standards of academic and financial autonomy. It was urged that decisions about academia must be made in consultation with academics, and not solely by politicians. In addition to legislative concerns, the house raised urgent economic issues facing universities. It demanded the issuance of Disparity Reduction Allowances (DRAs), teaching allowances, and tax rebates for academic staff. The participants also called for an increase in annual government grants to universities and the reversal of recently revised pension and leave encashment rules that have negatively impacted university employees. The FAPUASA Punjab announced the launch of a provincewide protest campaign that will continue until the Act is repealed. The campaign will include meetings of academic bodies across campuses, passing of resolutions, media engagement, and a forthcoming press conference. Letters will also be sent to the Governor, Chief Minister, and Higher Education Commission (HEC) to formally convey the faculty's deep concerns. The FAPUASA called on all academic staff associations across Punjab to unite, mobilize, and defend the integrity of higher education. The association reaffirmed its commitment to use all democratic and peaceful means of protest to safeguard the autonomy, dignity, and future of Punjab's universities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Talal, JI leaders discuss ‘Balochistan Rights March'
LAHORE: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, a member of the government committee formed in connection with Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan's 'Haq Do Balochistan Ko' long march, visited Mansoorah, here on Sunday afternoon. He met with Jamaat-e-Islami leaders including Naib Emir Liaqat Baloch and Secretary General Ameerul Azeem. The meeting focused on discussions regarding the long march. It was agreed that the government would provide full security to the March participants until they reach Multan and Lahore. The Minister of State said that in Lahore, the federal government's committee would engage in talks with the organizers of the Haq Do Balochistan Ko march. He expressed hope that the march would conclude in Lahore and that there would be no need to proceed to Islamabad. Jamaat-e-Islami leaders stated that the party is peaceful and struggles for public rights through legitimate and democratic means in accordance with the Constitution. They urged the government to provide security for the peaceful march. The Jamaat-e-Islami leaders also emphasized to the Minister of State that the march should be allowed to reach its final destination in Islamabad and that the government must show seriousness in addressing the demands of the wounded and deprived Baloch people. The Minister responded by saying that this was precisely why he had come to the party's headquarters in person. He added that the PML-N and the government have always given priority to resolving Balochistan's issues. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Tax on windfall profits of sugar millers being mulled
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel headed by Member National Assembly Atif Khan, is likely to propose a tax on the windfall profits of sugar millers—similar to the levy imposed on banks—in light of the recent surge in sugar prices. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce during a recent meeting chaired by Jawed Hanif Khan, criticized the sugar industry as a 'mafia' and decided to identify the 'hidden' beneficiaries. The committee subsequently constituted a special multi-party panel to investigate the causes behind the sugar price spike, the circumstances surrounding sugar exports and imports, and the cyclical patterns of the industry over the years. The panel includes Atif Khan (Convener), Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Shahida Rehmani, Tahira Aurangzeb, with Farhan Chishti as a special invitee. Pakistan tenders to buy 100,000 metric tons of sugar, traders say Retail sugar prices are currently hovering around Rs 200/kg. Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, stated that some mills are not adhering to the agreement with the government regarding the ex-mill price. According to the agreement—available with Business Recorder—the maximum ex-mill price was fixed at Rs 165/kg effective July 15, 2025, with a permissible monthly increase of Rs 2/kg until October 1, 2025. This sets the ex-mill prices at: (i) July 15 – Rs 165/kg ;( ii) August 15 – Rs 167/kg ;( iii) September 15 – Rs 169/kg; and (iv) October 15 – Rs 171/kg The agreement also stipulates that provincial governments will enforce retail prices as per law and policy. Insiders from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research argue that the Rs 2/kg monthly carry cost—originally based on a 25% interest rate—which is no longer justified now that the rate has dropped to 11%. They claim the actual carrying cost is closer to Rs 1/kg and that even this estimate has been exaggerated by the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA). The agreement further outlines that corporate consumers must procure sugar directly from mills, with pricing to be mutually agreed. The federal government will only permit the export of sugar stocks exceeding 7 million metric tons (MMT)—including carryover and 2025-26 production—30 days after the end of the 2025-26 crushing season. Final decisions regarding available stock will be made by a four-member committee comprising representatives from the federal and provincial governments, as well as two PSMA members, using FBR's Track & Trace System (TTS) data as the baseline. Sources indicate that both the Finance and Commerce Ministries were hesitant to support sugar exports, fearing domestic price escalation. They allege that major sugar groups that held stocks through the end of last year made substantial profits from exports. The PSMA had previously assured the government that sugar prices would not exceed Rs 140/kg. However, instead of offering to create a buffer stock for price stability, millers were reportedly lured by the export opportunity—given the expectation that local prices would rise, international prices being Rs 30-40/kg higher; and no sales tax liability on exports. As prices now soar past all reasonable limits, the government is considering sugar imports—triggering a national controversy and renewed criticism of PSMA's influence and manipulation. Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, who had earlier opposed sugar export, aligned with the stance of a committee led by Musaddiq Malik, is reportedly facing criticism within Cabinet meetings. In a recent Sugar Advisory Board (SAB) session, he is said to have reprimanded the PSMA, expressing frustration over the steep price hike. To address growing public pressure, the newly formed NA panel led by Atif Khan is considering a windfall tax on sugar mill profits, similar to the one imposed on banks. The proposal aims to curb the alleged manipulations of the PSMA, which has historically lobbied for favourable export policies while allegedly providing misleading data. During the previous government as well, the sugar industry came under scrutiny for benefiting from export-induced price hikes. Larger groups, with greater holding capacity, were again the primary beneficiaries. 'Taxing windfall profits will support the national exchequer and send a strong message to the industry not to exploit the public,' said an official from the Ministry of National Food Security. Meanwhile, the government's efforts to stabilise prices have yielded little success. A previous tender floated by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) for the import of 50,000 tons of sugar failed to attract bids. TCP has now floated a fresh tender for 100,000 tons. Officials from the Commerce Ministry say they are proceeding cautiously, given the sensitivity of the issue. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
