The National Assembly on Tuesday passed Contempt of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) Bill, 2023 — which seeks up to six-month imprisonment or Rs1m fine or both for those found guilty.
The bill – tabled by Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon – was approved by a majority vote, as posted on the National Assembly's Twitter account. It will now head to the Senate for approval.
The bill emphasises the importance of establishing a contempt committee to oversee the cases.
Legislation
The committee's chairman will be able to issue summons to individuals to appear before it committee and furnish evidence and relevant documents.
In case a person fails to comply with the summons, the committee’s head may issue warrants for the same, after they have an approval from the speaker or chairman Senate.
If found guilty, those responsible can face imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to one million rupees, or both.
Read this too: Why Pakistan Is A Praetorian State & India Has Civilian Supremacy
The decisions will be executed and enforced by judicial magistrates, with appeals against the decisions to be filed before the joint sitting within a span of 30 days.
The bill stresses the importance of loyalty to the state and parliamentary oversight, and assures that the summons are acted upon.
Criticism
Conversely, critiques fear that the bill will essentially criminalise any criticism of the Parliament. According to them, it will likely be challenged in a court of law.
Journalist Mohammad Malick likened the move with fascism, and said that members of the assembly and its committees shall become "sacred cows".
Noting that lawmakers can now sentence their critiques to prison terms, he termed the legislation "simply deplorable and unacceptable".
"If this isn't fascism then what is?" he asked.
It is expected that the bill will sail through Senate, like it did in the National Assembly, but is likely to be challenged in a court of law.
The bill – tabled by Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon – was approved by a majority vote, as posted on the National Assembly's Twitter account. It will now head to the Senate for approval.
The bill emphasises the importance of establishing a contempt committee to oversee the cases.
Legislation
The committee's chairman will be able to issue summons to individuals to appear before it committee and furnish evidence and relevant documents.
In case a person fails to comply with the summons, the committee’s head may issue warrants for the same, after they have an approval from the speaker or chairman Senate.
If found guilty, those responsible can face imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to one million rupees, or both.
Read this too: Why Pakistan Is A Praetorian State & India Has Civilian Supremacy
The decisions will be executed and enforced by judicial magistrates, with appeals against the decisions to be filed before the joint sitting within a span of 30 days.
The bill stresses the importance of loyalty to the state and parliamentary oversight, and assures that the summons are acted upon.
Criticism
Conversely, critiques fear that the bill will essentially criminalise any criticism of the Parliament. According to them, it will likely be challenged in a court of law.
Journalist Mohammad Malick likened the move with fascism, and said that members of the assembly and its committees shall become "sacred cows".
Noting that lawmakers can now sentence their critiques to prison terms, he termed the legislation "simply deplorable and unacceptable".
"If this isn't fascism then what is?" he asked.
It is expected that the bill will sail through Senate, like it did in the National Assembly, but is likely to be challenged in a court of law.