ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani has dropped the government’s Prevention of Violent Extremism (Amendment) Bill from the day’s agenda following several legislators raised objections over the draft bill and the way it was tabled.
Pakistan: Chairman Senate Drops Anti-extremism Bill from Agenda After Outcry
Chairing a session of the Senate of Pakistan on Sunday, Sadiq Sanjrani said: “I am dropping the bill whether the federal government does it or not.” The chairman had also sought the House’s view on the professed bill before making the decision.
Earlier, a ruling coalition ally of the PML-N, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F also opposed the legislation. The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) also opposed the proposed bill and JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmed claimed that the government did not take its coalition partners into confidence over the bill.
Earlier, Pakistan’s government had tabled a new bill in the Senate to tackle the menace of “violent extremism” in the South Asian country. The proposed bill draft defines violent extremism as acts of incitement, threats, support, and the use of violence and hostility stemming from political, religious, or ideological beliefs. It also includes financing and protecting groups or individuals engaged in violent extremism, all of which will be prohibited by rule and law.
Under the proposed legislation, violent individuals and those involved with violent organizations, including officials, leaders, and workers, may face imprisonment spanning from 90 days to 12 months. However, the aggrieved individual will retain the right to appeal to the high court.
