Latest news with #ThePakistanNavy(Amendment)Bill
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
NA passes two bills: Panel bypassed in explosives bill approval
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Monday passed two bills including 'The Explosives (Amendment) Bill, 2025'which states that anyone who is found illegally involved in the manufacturing, storage, possession, procurement, sales, transport, export, import or use of explosives, shall be liable to imprisonment from three years to seven years or a fine of half a million to 20 million rupees or both. The house passed the 'The Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2025' and 'The Explosives (Amendment) Bill, 2025' bills with a majority. The National Assembly passed 'The Explosives (Amendment) Bill, 2025' after introduction without referring to concerned standing committee for deliberation through adoption of a motion in the house. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry introduced the bill in the house then he moved a motion in the house to pass it without referring it to the concerned standing committee. The house adopted the motion and the minster tabled the bill for passage. After it, the house passed the bill without any discussion. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq presented the bill by clubbing its clauses two to ten in the house instead of reading clause by clause. The House passed the bill with majority. According to clause four of the bill, a new clauses 5A and 5B are inserted as ''5A. Offences of minor and major violations. - (1) Where a licensee commits no minor violations which are non-malicious, he shall be liable to an administrative penalty not exceeding half million rupees. (2) Where a licensee commits minor violations which are malicious, he shall be liable to an administrative penalty not exceeding one million rupees. (3) Where a licensee commits major violations which are non-malicious, he shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding ten million rupees or both. (4) Where a licensee commits major violations which are malicious, he shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding seven years or a fine not exceeding twenty million rupees or both. (5) Whoever commits any act involving the manufacturing, storage, possession, procurement, sale, transport, import, export or use of explosives without any licence under this Act and rules made thereunder shall be liable to the punishments provided for in theExplosive Substances Act, 1908. 5B. Trial of offences. - The offences under this Act and under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 shall be tried by the Anti-Terrorism Court established under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.' The objects and reasons of 'The Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, state: 'this Bill seeks to amend provisions of the Pakistan Navy Ordinance, '1961 so as to provide the structural underpinnings of raising and maintaining the Navy, including inter alia, the power to grant commission, determine terms and conditions of service, carryout welfare activities, national development tasks and other operational and institutional matters.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Any unwarranted action by India will attract ‘appropriate' response: NA body
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence has reiterated that any unwarranted action by the Indian side will be met with an appropriate response, emphasising Pakistan's resolve to safeguard its national security and sovereignty. In a meeting held at the Parliament House on Thursday, chaired by MNA Fatehullah Khan, the committee categorically rejected the unfounded allegations levelled by the Indian government against Pakistan following the recent loss of lives in Pahalgam. It, unanimously, condemned the incident and expressed deep sorrow, offering Fatiha and Dua for the deceased. The committee expressed serious concern over the Indian government's recent moves, including the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and the withdrawal of diplomats. Members warned that such hostile measures could escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Stressing that Pakistan has consistently acted with responsibility in maintaining regional peace, the committee made it clear that any future aggression would be met with a firm and calculated response. During the session, the committee also reviewed 'The Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2024'. Officials from the Ministry of Defence briefed the members on the proposed legislation, which includes provisions related to welfare activities, electronic crimes, and updates to legal procedures. The amendments aim to bring the Navy Act in line with those recently enacted for the Pakistan Army and Air Force. After thorough deliberation, the committee, unanimously, recommended its passage by the National Assembly. In a separate agenda item, the Surveyor General of Pakistan and the secretaries of Mines and Minerals Departments from all provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan briefed the committee on private sector involvement in mapping mineral resources. Stressing the importance of safeguarding sensitive data, the committee urged provincial governments to prioritise the use of the Surveyor General's services over private entities. Addressing the disparity in funding between Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs) under the Ministry of Defence and institutions under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), the committee decided to summon the secretaries of Finance and Planning in the next meeting for a detailed discussion. The meeting was attended by MNAs Aqeel Malik, Ibrar Ahmad, Saba Sadiq, Isfpanyar M Bandara, Salahuddin Junejo, Sanjay Parwani, Gul Asghar Khan, Pullain Baloch, Muhammad Aslam Ghumman, Ghulam Muhammad, and Zeb Jaffar, Parliamentary Secretary on Defence. Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Law and Justice, and provincial governments were also present. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
