ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015 was tabled in National Assembly on Saturday for seeking speedy trial of the terrorists. The Bill was moved by Minister for Law,Justice and Human Rights Senator Pervaiz Rashid. The Minister also moved the motion dispensing with other business of the day to take into consideration the bills. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also present on the occasion.
The Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill 2015 would remain in force for two years and stands repealed on the expiration of the said period unless extended by the Parliament. The new sub clauses shall be inserted in the Pakistan Army Act 1952 (XXXIX of 1952) in section 2, sub-section (1) in cluase (d) after sub clause (ii), (iii) any person who is or claims or is known to belong to any terrorist group or organisation using the name of religion or a sect and raises arms or wages war against Pakistan or attacks the Armed Forces of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies or attacks any civil or military installations in Pakistan or kidnaps any person for ransom or causes death of any person or injury or is in possession, storage fabrication or transport of explosives, fire arms instruments articles suicide jackets or vehicles designed to be used for terrorist acts or receives or provides funding from any foreign or local sources for such illegal activities and acts or does any act to overawe the state or any section of the public or a sect or a religious minority or to create terror or insecurity in Pakistan or attempts to commit any of the said acts, within or outside Pakistan shall be punished under this Act; Any person, who is or claims or is known to belong to any terrorist group or organisation using the name of religionor a sect, commits an offence mentioned at serial NOs (i), (ii),(iii), (V), (Vi), (VII), (VIII), (IX), (X), (XI), (XII), (Xiii), (XV), (XVi), (XVii), (Xiii), (XV), (XVii), and (XX) in theschedule to the Protection of Pakistan Act 2014 (X of 2014): Provided that nay person who is alleged to have abetted, aided or conspired in the commission of any offence falling under sub-clause (iii) or sub-clause (iv) shall be tried under this Act wherever he may have committed that offence. Provided further that no person accused of an offence falling under sub-clause (iv) shall be prosecute without the prior sanction of the Federal Government. Explanation in this Act the expression ‘sect’ means a sect of religion and does not include any political party registered under any law for the time being in force. (2) after Sub-section (3) the following new sub-sections shall be added namely (4) The Federal Government shall have the power to transfer any proceedings in respect of any person who is accused of any offence falling under sub-clause (iii) or subclause ( iv) of clause (d) of sub-section (1) pending in any court to a court this Act. (5) Any proceedings transferred under sub section (4) shall be deemed to have been instituted under this Act. (6) Where a case is transferred under sub section (4) it shall not be necessary to record evidence which has already been recorded. Amendment of section 60, Act XXXIX of 1952 In the said Act, in section 60, in clause (k) after the word “law”occurring at the end, the words ” and any other law for the time being in force” shall be added. The statement of objects and reasons said anextraordinary situation and circumstances exist which demand special measures for speedy trial certain offenses relating to terrorism, waging of war or insurrection against Pakistan and prevention of acts threatening the security of Pakistan by any terrorist group using the name of religion or a sect and members of such armed groups wings and militia. There exists grave and unprecedented threats to the integrity of Pakistan by the raising of arms and insurgency using the name of religion and a sect by groups of foreign and locally funded elements including warriors using the name of the religion and locally funded elements including warriors using the name of the religion or a sect who are to be severely dealt with under the law. The Bill is designed to achieve the said object. Later, the House was adjourned to meet again on Monday evening.
