ISLAMABAD, May 16 (Online): National Assembly (NA) has passed contempt of parliament bill with majority vote.
The amendments submitted by JI MNA Maulana Akbar Chitrali were returned.
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges chairman Qasim Noon presented the bill.
Federal minister while supporting the bill said we are facing this problem since the last two to three months and this bill has come with the approval of the house that whosoever degrades parliament should be awarded punishment. This bill is need of hour.
JI MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali presented amendment. However the speaker NA returned this amendment being opposed by the federal minister and other members. .
After seeking parawise opinion from the house the bill was passed with majority vote.
Finance minister Ishaq Dar said no legislation will be enacted against Quran and Sunnah. The steps are underway for elimination of interest from the country.
He told the house government has withdrawn the appeal pleas filed against the elimination of interest from the country. We are promoting Islamic banking in the country.
According to draft bill the government parliamentary committee will be authorized to summon any state or government official in connection with contempt of court.
The contempt of parliament has been declared offence.
Under the bill, contempt of the House would be punishable with six months imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 10 million or both.
A 24-member parliamentary committee will investigate contempt of parliament cases. The committee will include 50 percent members of the opposition and 50 percent of the government.
The Contempt Committee will recommend the punishment to the speaker or the Senate chairman on the complaint report, after which the speaker or the Senate Chairman can announce the punishment on the concerned person.
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