ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Protection of Pakistan Bill 2014 during its 13th session in Islamabad with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair.
The federal minister for science and technology Zahid Hamid moved the bill in the lower house. The bill has already been unanimously passed by the Senate.
The minister highlighted the salient features of the amended bill and said that special courts will be established under this bill to ensure greater conviction in scheduled offences.
Under the amended bill, punishment in scheduled offences has been increased from 10 years to 20 years while remand period has been curtailed to 60 days from the previous 90 days, he said.
Zahid Hamid said that the amended bill also clearly defines the role of armed forces and civilian forces to prevent the crimes. He said that police officer not below the rank of BS-15 has been given shoot at sight power only as a last resort. He said that this act will remain in force for a period of two years.
The federal minister said that the new bill has been prepared after detailed consultations with the opposition parties and their valuable suggestions have been incorporated in the bill.
