The Senate voted Friday to eliminate capital punishment for publicly stripping women and harboring hijackers, replacing it with life imprisonment, asset forfeiture, and substantial monetary penalties. The Criminal Law Amendment Bill, presented by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, sparked heated debate.
The legislative session, presided over by Deputy Chairman Syedal Khan Nasir, commenced with prayers for victims of recent floods and heavy rainfall. A question period revealed a National Highway Authority (NHA) officer”s 16-year deputation, drawing sharp criticism from Senator Shahadat Awan, who termed it a violation of Supreme Court rulings. Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan pledged an inquiry.
Updates on the Lowari Tunnel project indicated completion of both phases, though legal issues between contractors had temporarily halted work on the North Access, which resumed in June. Allegations of corruption within the NHA also surfaced, with Senator Saifullah Abro accusing officials of deceit and large-scale graft. Minister Khan countered, citing increased NHA revenue under his tenure and promising zero tolerance for dishonesty.
The bill”s passage saw strong opposition from Senators Ali Zafar and Samina Mumtaz, who argued that such offenses merit the death sentence. Mumtaz accused the administration of weakening protections for women to appease international bodies. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the amendment, contending that harsher sentences do not necessarily deter offenses. He pointed to high crime rates in Pakistan despite numerous capital offenses, contrasting with lower rates in European nations without capital punishment. Tarar argued that the death penalty for these crimes, introduced during General Zia’s rule in the 1980s, led to an increase in reported cases. He advocated for life imprisonment as a suitable punishment and urged legal revisions focused on justice, not retribution.
Amendments to extradition laws also passed, despite Senator Zafar”s concerns about shifting authority from the Cabinet. Minister Tarar clarified that extradition necessitates bilateral agreements and now involves departmental consent, Cabinet approval, magisterial inquiry, and a final government decision. Changes to the Pakistan Citizenship Act, allowing renunciation reversal and restoration for affected children, also passed. Senator Zafar questioned the phrasing, while Minister Tarar emphasized the right to regain citizenship.
A privilege motion against Quaid-e-Azam University”s acting Vice Chancellor was referred to committee. Senators debated rising rape and terrorism rates, expressing varying views on punishment. Senator Zafar criticized the administration”s disaster response, urging a parliamentary inquiry. The session adjourned until Monday at 5:00 PM.