NA Panel Rejects Power Theft Bill Over Misuse Fears
News Desk
Islamabad: The meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, held at the Parliament House on Monday, expressed serious concern over the construction of more than 100 wedding halls in Malir, Karachi, reportedly built on land under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Coast Guard (PCG).
Chaired by MNA Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, the committee reviewed the implementation status of previous recommendations and deliberated on key administrative, legislative, and law enforcement matters. The committee recommended summoning relevant PCG officials to clarify the issue. However, members noted with displeasure the absence of the Director General of the PCG from the meeting.
The Committee also discussed FIR No. 117/2024 registered against MNA Jamshaid Ahmed. It decided to summon the District Police Officer (DPO) and Regional Police Officer (RPO) of Muzaffargarh to brief the Committee at its next sitting.
Reviewing the ongoing road development projects in Islamabad under a Prime Ministerial development package, the Committee emphasized prioritizing projects nearing completion. Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) briefed that funds had been released and that projects already 80% complete were being given precedence.
The Committee raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Parliament Lodges and directed the CDA Chairman to initiate an inquiry, identifying the officials involved in any corruption. A comprehensive progress report on the completed and pending renovation work was also demanded.
In legislative business, the Committee rejected the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Section 462O) — a government-backed bill — citing fears of misuse due to the excessive powers it sought to grant to local police and power distribution companies. Despite the Power Division’s justification that the bill aimed to improve accountability in power theft cases, Members opposed it over potential risks of abuse.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Section 498AA), introduced by MNA Ms. Sofia Saeed Shah, was deferred. The mover was asked to consult the Ministry of Law and Justice and introduce amendments if needed.
Three bills moved by MNA Ms. Sharmila Sahiba Faruqui Hashaam — including the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Schedule-II), the Corrosive Substances Assault (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2024, and the Islamabad Capital Territory Dowry Restraint Bill, 2025 — were also deferred to the next meeting at her request.
However, the Committee unanimously recommended passage of the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved by MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, reflecting a rare moment of consensus.
Additionally, the Committee directed the CDA Chairman to submit detailed information in the next meeting about Union Councils in Islamabad, including the number of councils, their secretaries, and the funds generated and utilized. The Chairman informed that no recruitments had occurred in the last five years and that there were currently no vacant posts.
The Committee also instructed CDA to present a detailed report on the Senate Secretariat Employees Cooperative Housing Society (SSECHS) in the next session.
Lastly, the Committee reviewed the Sub-Committee’s report on the murder case of Mustafa Amir in Karachi, which was tabled for further deliberation and recommendations.
The next meeting of the Committee is expected to take up the deferred bills and review the pending reports.
