Latest news with #NationalAssemblyStandingCommitteeonInterior
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
No bail for reckless drivers in fatal crashes
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior approved a significant amendment on Tuesday, declaring Section 320 of the PPC as non-bailable in cases where a person dies due to reckless driving. The committee met at Parliament House with Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz in the chair. The committee unanimously passed the amendment to the law, which ensures that accused drivers involved in fatal accidents due to negligence cannot secure bail. The proposal was part of the Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2024, presented by PPP lawmaker Sharmila Farooqui, who highlighted that 128 people died in road accidents in Islamabad last year. "Accidents don't discriminate between the poor and the rich," committee member Qadir Patel said. "Even God forgives mistakes, but the law must uphold justice." The members supported the amendment to the Section 320 of the PPC. Section 320 PPC deals with the punishment for 'Qatl-i-Khata', a form of culpable homicide, by rash or negligent driving. The committee however, kept Section 319, which also dealt with 'Qatl-i-Khata', unchanged. The committee also approved the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill 2024 without any opposition. Meanwhile, the CrPC Amendment Bill 2025 was deferred to the next session at the Law Ministry's request. Notably, no PTI-backed members attended the meeting. Amid PTI's call for protests in Islamabad, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry stated that only eight individuals were detained. He criticised PTI's leadership for failing to follow proper procedures. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Chaudhry said that the PTI had applied for permission for protest via email but never followed up on it. He added that the provincial authorities reached out to the PTI's local leadership but received no response.
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Govt-backed bill seeking power theft cognisable offence rejected
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior on Monday rejected the government-backed bill seeking to make electricity theft a cognisable offence, amid strong opposition from lawmakers who expressed fears that the measure would lead to misuse of power by police and electricity distribution companies. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, which met with MNA Raja Khurram Shehzad Nawaz, rejected 'The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024' (Section 462-O) moved by the government. The parliamentary body examined in detail the bill, and after a comprehensive discussion placed it before the members for voting. A majority of members opposed the bill, expressing concerns over the excessive powers it would grant to the local police and power distribution companies, potentially leading to misuse. Following the vote, the committee rejected the bill. Pakistan's power sector: where theft wants reward and compliance gets penalized MNA Qadir Patel expressed serious reservations, stating, before passing this bill, we must fix the issues in the system. 'We cannot approve it without reforms,' he said, adding 'there is no system, no checks and balances in place, and vowed, we will not allow this bill to pass in its current form. We will not allow anyone to be handcuffed unjustly,' he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
