Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Senate of Pakistan during its session on Monday passed a bill moved by Senator Chaudhry Tanveer Khan regarding further amending the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2017. The bill seeks an increase in the punishment for those arrested for inciting disturbances in public spaces while under the influence.

The proposed legislation suggested that those creating a law and order situation while under the influence would be held in captivity for a period ranging anywhere between 48 hours and a week. They would also be fined Rs 10,000, it reads. The mover said that the people often come out of their houses while under the influence and provoke fights with others.

“The current punishment [for such conduct] is not sufficient. Those accused are kept in prison for only a few hours before being released and are liable to pay a fine of only Rs 30,” Senator Khan recalled.

Another bill moved by Senator Chaudhry Tanveer Khan regarding the prohibition of the practice of Witchcraft (The Prevention of Witchcraft Bill, 2017) was sent to the select committee of the Senate for further discussion.

The Senate could not consider the constitutional amendment regarding reallocation of the National Assembly’s seats among federating units due to low attendance of lawmakers.

The chair deferred the consideration and the passage of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2017 till Wednesday on the request of the leader of the House. The amendment seeks to reallocate the National Assembly seats among federating units. The chair informed the House that the reports on two bills seeking amendment to Article 63A of the constitution had been received back from the standing committees and were awaiting notices under Rule 100 for their consideration.

Published in Daily Times, November 21^st 2017.