Latest news with #StandingCommitteeonInterior
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Road accountability
Listen to article In a welcome move, the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Interior has approved an amendment to Section 320 of the Pakistan Penal Code, making the offence of causing death by reckless driving non-bailable. The decision, passed unanimously by the committee, comes in the wake of several high-profile road accidents, and signals a much-needed shift towards legal deterrence and public safety. For far too long, fatal road accidents have been treated as unfortunate but inevitable misadventures. This perception has been reinforced by the fact that most drivers involved in such incidents are able to secure bail with relative ease, often walking free even before investigations are complete. Declaring the offence non-bailable serves to correct this imbalance. It sends a clear message that loss of life due to negligence will no longer be treated lightly. Pakistan has witnessed a worrying rise in fatal road accidents, many of them attributable to speeding and poorly maintained vehicles. The situation is particularly grave on highways and urban routes where trawlers and tankers operate with little oversight. These vehicles, often unfit, pose a significant threat to both pedestrians and motorists alike. The lack of stringent regulation and weak enforcement of traffic laws has allowed this culture of impunity to flourish. While the amendment is a step in the right direction, its success will ultimately depend on implementation. Legal provisions, no matter how well-intentioned, mean little if they are not enforced uniformly and without fear or favour. Police capacity must be strengthened and transport authorities held accountable for lack of implementation of road laws. The amendment to Section 320 is a long-overdue correction. One can only hope it marks the beginning of a broader effort to restore safety and accountability to Pakistan's roads.
Gulf News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf News
New citizenship law: Pakistan expands dual nationality to 22 additional countries
Dubai: Pakistan has officially established new dual citizenship agreements with 22 countries under the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2024, according to media reports. This landmark decision will allow overseas Pakistanis to maintain their Pakistani nationality even after obtaining citizenship in these designated nations. The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Interior has approved this significant bill, which aims to resolve the long-standing challenges faced by Pakistanis residing abroad who were previously required to renounce their Pakistani citizenship when acquiring citizenship in countries without such dual nationality arrangements. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, a sub-department of the Ministry of Interior, has confirmed, as per news reports, that Pakistani citizens who become citizens of these 22 countries will no longer need to give up their Pakistani nationality. "The Law Ministry stated, as per media reports, 'We are introducing amendments to restore Pakistani citizenship for those who had to give it up after acquiring foreign nationalities.'" Addressing long-standing issue Chaired by Khurram Nawaz, the committee was informed that the amendment addresses a long-standing issue affecting many overseas Pakistanis. Previously, dual nationality arrangements were limited to a handful of countries, creating legal complications for Pakistanis seeking citizenship elsewhere. The Ministry of Law clarified that many countries require proof of renunciation before granting new citizenship, and the amendment aims to resolve these hurdles for affected individuals. Countries included under the new law Director General of Passports and Immigration Mustafa Jamal Qazi confirmed that formal dual nationality agreements are now in place with countries across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Oceania. The 22 countries now included are: United Kingdom United States Canada Australia France Italy Belgium Iceland New Zealand Finland Egypt Jordan Syria Switzerland Netherlands Sweden Ireland Bahrain Denmark Germany Norway Luxembourg The UK, US, Canada, and Australia were already part of existing dual nationality agreements with Pakistan, while the others represent new additions. More agreements in progress According to the reports, Pakistan has also initiated work toward a similar dual citizenship arrangement with Turkey. A draft proposal is under review by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior following Turkiye's suggestion for mutual dual citizenship rights. Chairman Khurram Nawaz welcomed the move, stating that overseas Pakistanis should not be forced to choose between their homeland and their adopted country.
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Mustafa Amir case: Diamonds, cash go missing from suspect Armaghan's home
Listen to article Diamonds, jewelry, and cash have reportedly gone missing from two safes recovered from the residence of Armaghan Qureshi, the main accused in the Mustafa Amir murder case. The exact value of the missing valuables and cash remains unclear, Express News reported. This revelation came to light during the second session of the sub-committee of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Interior held at the Central Police Office in Karachi on Wednesday. Authorities presented the alarming disclosure during discussions focused on the ongoing investigation. Sources reported another startling revelation: Armaghan allegedly spent around Rs250 million over six months through accounts registered to his employees. Officials have since seized several luxury vehicles belonging to Armaghan and frozen dozens of his bank accounts. The committee directed authorities to investigate the disappearance of jewelry and cash from the safes and submit a detailed report. Chaired by MNA Abdul Qadir Patel, the session included a comprehensive briefing on the progress and findings of the investigation thus far. The committee appreciated the coordinated efforts of Sindh Police, FIA, and Anti-Narcotics departments in gathering substantial evidence and conducting thorough investigations. Authorities were urged to provide updates on the legal and constitutional outcomes of the Mustafa Amir murder case by the next meeting to assist the committee in compiling a comprehensive report for the National Assembly and public dissemination.
Voice of America
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Pakistani journalists fear amended cybercrime law will further curb freedoms
Pakistan is pressing ahead with amendments to its digital crimes act to stem what it says is an influx of fake news. But media rights groups warn the changes, if passed, will suppress freedom of expression by exposing journalists and social media users to legal action. New amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (2025), commonly known as PECA, call for a three-year prison term and a fine of over $7,000 for spreading fake and false information. The amendments also broaden the definition of content that authorities can block and set up four new bodies to regulate online content. The amended law now awaits passage in the Senate after its Standing Committee on Interior approved the amendments Monday. The National Assembly, the lower house of the country's bicameral parliament, passed the amended bill last Thursday as opposition members and journalists walked out in protest. 'The fact that [the] interior ministry is involved in this clearly shows that this is being turned into a national security matter,' said Nayyar Ali, secretary of the National Press Club that represents journalists in Islamabad and neighboring Rawalpindi. The law Originally promulgated as Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (2016), PECA, as it is commonly known, was meant to curb cybercrime, online harassment, and the spread of hateful content that could instigate violence. Media and human rights groups call the law 'draconian' and say successive governments have used it to muzzle dissent. Press freedom groups have recorded more than 200 incidents of journalists and media persons investigated since PECA became law in 2017. The latest changes to the law come just days before Pakistan marks a year since its elections last Feb. 8 were marred by allegations of widespread fraud. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, one of the most popular leaders, remains in jail and his party is deprived of its share of seats reserved for women and minorities. However, his supporters continue to run a formidable online campaign when most TV channels avoid saying the leader's name. 'State and private players have been able to tame mainstream media,' said journalist Arifa Noor about the decline in press freedom over the past several years. 'It has pushed a considerable amount of the commentary and reporting onto social media, and this is why they now want to go after social media. 'They can't tame it and they want to tame it,' she said. Pakistan ranks a low 152 out of 180 countries on Reporters without Borders' global press freedom index, where 1 shows the best media environment. Freedom House ranks it "not free" for internet freedoms. Amendments PECA (2025) as approved by the national assembly expands the definition of unlawful content to include information that is false, harmful, and damages the reputation of a person including members of the judiciary, armed forces, parliament or a provincial assembly. It also broadens the definition of 'person' to include state institutions and corporations. Critics worry this will muzzle dissent and open doors for the powerful military to target civilians. Minister for Information for Punjab province Azma Bukhari rejected the concerns as 'undue.' 'The [military] institution also belongs to this country,' he said. 'If the institution has an objection over someone, should it not object [just] because it's an institution?' The amendments come as Pakistan's military routinely faces criticism online for its role in civilian affairs as well as for its alleged interference in political affairs, which it denies. Faced often with smear campaigns, the military's top brass has repeatedly called for a crackdown on 'digital terrorism.' 'What we need is strong civil laws that treat defamation as a civil problem,' Noor said. The amended law stipulates a punishment of up to three years in prison and a fine of more than $7,000 for intentionally disseminating information that a person knows or believes is 'false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society.' 'What is fake news? They don't bother to define it,' Noor, the journalist, said. 'They want to call everything that they don't like fake news.' Journalists' bodies say the impact of the amended law will not be limited to social media content makers. 'All the media is digital now,' said Ali, secretary of the National Press Club, as mainstream media outlets and prominent journalists use social media to deliver information that can draw state backlash if delivered on TV channels. New powers The bill proposes creating a Digital Rights Protection Authority, a Social Media Complaint Council, a Social Media Protection Tribunal and a National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority. Decisions made by the tribunal can only be challenged in the Supreme Court, bypassing the traditional appeals process that includes provincial high courts. Punjab information minister Bukhari defended the amendment saying, 'we are giving access to the highest forum in the country.' However, the Press Club's Ali said most citizens do not have the financial means to approach the country's top court through lawyers. Bukhari, who has been a target of an AI-generated smear campaign, told VOA that Pakistan needs such a law. 'Those who deal in fake news should be fearful of this law,' she said. 'Those who file with checks and balances should not worry.' However, Noor said journalists are also caught in a bind when government officials give contradictory information that causes the spread of false information. Rushed passage Some journalists' bodies have said they support government efforts to regulate digital spaces, however they are questioning the speedy passage of the amended law in the National Assembly and approval of amendments by the Senate committee. Expressing concern over the chilling effects of the amendments, the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan as well as Amnesty International last week called on the government to consult journalist bodies before turning the bill into law. In a statement Thursday, the Joint Action Committee, a coalition of major media bodies of the country 'rejected any PECA amendments that are passed or approved without consultation with media bodies.' The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has called for nationwide protests on Tuesday afternoon.
