Interior Committee Takes Action: Bills Deferred, Projects Reviewed, and Social Media Misuse Addressed

By Web Editor Last updated Aug 14, 2024

Islamabad ; 3rd meeting of the Standing Committee on Interior was held today under the Chairmanship of Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, MNA. The meeting started with the recitation from the Holy Quran. The Committee offered Fatiha for the Panjgur Deputy Commissioner Zakir Baloch assassinated in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Monday evening. Afterwards the Committee decided to proceed with the agenda.
2. “The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024” (Section 462O), Government Bill was presented before the Standing Committee. The bill was deferred till next meeting of the Standing Committee. The Committee decided to refer the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2024” moved by Ms. Sehar Kamran, MNA, to Council of Islamic Ideology for expert option. The Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2024” Government Bill was deferred by the Committee. The Islamabad Capital Territory Local government (Amendment) Bill, 2024” Government Bill was presented before the Standing Committee. The Committee discussed the and passed the Bill.

3. The Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Islamabad briefed the Committee on the ongoing projects, including the construction of the Islamabad Expressway from the PWD underpass to GT Road, Bhindhar Bridge, Japan Road underpass, and Saon Bridge. He also discussed the construction of the Islamabad Expressway from Korang to the PWD interchanges, including railway bridges, and the rehabilitation and widening of Park Road from Tramri Chowk to Rawal Chowk. Additionally, he provided updates on the 10th Avenue (Phase-I) project, the construction of Khayaban-e-Margalla from GT Road to Sector D-12, and the construction of the Bhara Kahu Bypass, as well as the widening and improvement of roundabouts. The Chairman also raised the issue of a shortage of funds for these ongoing projects.

4. The Committee expressed a desire to visit all development projects to evaluate the progress of the work. The Committee directed to submit detailed information on the charges collected from private societies on account of accessing express highways, as well as details of the private societies from whom charges have not yet been collected. The Committee pointed out that the rules & regulations relating to zones, building by laws etc. have become outdate with the passage of time so need updating so directed the CDA to work on it and present before the Committee. The Committee also desired detailed report from CDA on the land allocated by the private societies for graveyards, parks, etc.
5. The Chairman of the CDA briefed the Committee on the development project focused on rainwater harvesting in rural areas of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The project involves the construction of dams for rainwater collection to increase the area under cultivation, with a total cost of Rs. 115.296 million. The Committee decided hold a meeting on Charah Dam with CDA along with concerned department from Govt. of Punjab, to assess the progress.
6. The Director General (FIA) briefly updated the Committee regarding a complaint against Mr. Mushtaq Sarki, a social media blogger. The Additional Director General FIA provided a detailed account of the actions taken by the FIA. The Chairman of the Committee directed the FIA to take serious action against the misuse of social media. The Committee also asked the FIA to suggest amendments or legislation to strengthen the implementation of the law and curb cybercrimes.

7. The representative from the Home Department, Government of Sindh, briefed the Committee on the merger of the police check-post (Sindh Police) in Gulshan Sikanderabad into the jurisdiction of District Keamari, Karachi. The Committee recommended that the Home Department take the necessary action to resolve the issue and report back in the next meeting.

8. Hon. Members/MNAs/Mover Mr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Mr. Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, Syed Rafiullah, Mr. Abdul Qadir Patel, Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani, Khawaja Izhar Ul Hassan, Mr. Nisar Ahmed, Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, Mr. Jamshaid Ahmed, Muhammad Arshid Sahi, Ms Sehar Kamran and the senior officers from the Ministry of Interior, M/o Law and Justice, CDA, ICT , FIA, Immigration & Passports, Home Department Sindh, Sindh Police along with their staff.