In a unanimous move, the Senate of Pakistan has passed a resolution advocating severe punishment for individuals involved in “negative and malicious propaganda” against the armed forces and other security agencies. The resolution, initially proposing a ten-year disqualification from public office, was revised during the session by PPP Senator Bahramanad Khan Tangi, who opted for legal action as per the law.
Expressing deep concern over damaging propaganda on various social media platforms, the resolution highlighted the significant sacrifices made by the armed forces and security agencies in the war against terror and the defence of the country’s borders. Recognizing the indispensability of a strong military, especially in the face of a hostile neighbourhood, the Senate recommended that the government take necessary steps to enforce severe legal penalties.
Senate’s Legislative Agenda and Previous Session
In addition to the resolution, the Senate had a busy legislative agenda, including bills such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and several others. This comes after the previous session, convened on Friday, was adjourned due to a lack of quorum, indicating a lack of interest among members.
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On the first day of the new session on December 27, members had prevented the caretaker government from laying bills and ordinances, questioning the urgency of such transactions with elections less than two months away.
The Senate’s agenda also included bills related to electronic crimes, constitutional amendments, and higher education reform. However, lawmakers emphasized the need for the government to address the demands of protesting Baloch people and provide foolproof security for political leadership, ensuring a peaceful election campaign.
The session witnessed discussions on immediate security measures and prioritizing climate change projects in the development budget. Despite the legislative focus, concerns about political stability and citizens’ safety took center stage in the Senate’s deliberations.