ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Interior and Narcotics has rejected the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Section 462 (O) regarding filing of cases for electricity theft by a majority vote.
The ruling party also voted against the bill while the bill was also rejected by members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the Standing committee. During the meeting, the committee unanimously recommended the passage of the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposed by Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MNA. The bill aims to establish child courts in every district, city, or jurisdiction, exclusively tasked with hearing cases of child abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect.
The Standing Committee meeting was held with its Chairman Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz in the chair, here at Parliament House on Monday.
The committee examined in detail the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Section 462 (O), a government bill, regarding filing of cases for electricity theft and placed it before the members for voting.
A majority of members opposed the bill, expressing concerns over the excessive powers it would grant to local police and power distribution companies, potentially leading to misuse. The members were of the opinion that the public would be humiliated through the new bill.
PTI’s Zartaj Gul said that action should be taken against the big thieves first. “We oppose this cruel bill, the public should not be handcuffed without reason,” she said.
PPP’s Abdul Qadir Patel said that meters in Karachi are not in the name of one person. He said electricity companies should fix themselves first as there is no system, there is no check and balance. “We will not pass it under any circumstances, we will not let anyone be handcuffed,” he said.
PPP’s Nabil Gabol said that a watchman was arrested for electricity theft. “You do not provide electricity and there is load-shedding for 18 hours in Karachi,” he said.
He said two people steal electricity but K-Electric cuts off the electricity of the entire area. The Standing Committee Chairman Raja Khurram Nawaz said that if a person is not living in this house, how can a case be registered against him.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that “electricity is being stolen, we have to stop the theft”. “There should be no point scoring on this issue,” he said.
In defence of the bill, the Special Secretary from the Ministry of Power Division explained that the bill aimed to simplify the FIR process and ensure accountability for individuals who assist in power theft under Sections 182, 185, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
However, a majority of members opposed the bill and the bill stands rejected and not recommended for the passage from the National Assembly.
The committee unanimously recommended the passage of the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposed by Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MNA.
The bill aims to establish child courts in every district, city, or jurisdiction, exclusively tasked with hearing cases of child abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect.
These specialised courts will ensure that child victims receive justice through a legal process that is both efficient and sensitive to their needs. By establishing specialised courts introducing expedited trial processes, and prioritising victim protection, this bill aims to strengthen the legal framework for the protection of children and ensure that child abuse cases are addressed swiftly and sensitively, with the best interests of the child at the forefront.
The committee also considered the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Section 498AA, moved by Ms. Sofia Saeed Shah, MNA. The bill was deferred with a directive to the mover to consult with the Ministry of Law and Justice and introduce amendments if necessary.
Additionally, three bills proposed by Ms. Sharmila Faruqui Hashaam, MNA—namely, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Schedule-II), the Corrosive Substances Assault (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2024, and the Islamabad Capital Territory Dowry Restraint Bill, 2025—were also deferred to the next meeting on the request of the mover.
A comprehensive review of the implementation status of previous recommendations was conducted. The committee recommended summoning concerned officers of the Pakistan Coast Guard (PCG) to address issues regarding the construction of over 100 wedding halls in Malir, Karachi. However, the Director General of PCG was not present at the meeting.
The committee also discussed FIR No. 117/2024 registered against Jamshaid Ahmed, MNA, and decided that the District Police Officer (DPO) and Regional Police Officer (RPO) of Muzaffargarh should attend the next meeting to brief the committee on the matter.
The committee pointed out that a development package had been announced by the Prime Minister for the construction of roads in Islamabad, and although the work had commenced, attention must be given to projects nearing completion.
The chairman CDA informed the committee that funds had been released and work had begun, with priority to be given to projects already 80 per cent completed.
The committee further directed the Chairman CDA to initiate an inquiry into the poor condition of the Parliament Lodges and provide details of the work completed so far and the remaining work and the officials involved in corruption therein.
Furthermore, the committee directed the Chairman CDA to submit details regarding the total number of Union Councils, Secretaries of Union Councils, and the funds generated and utilised by the Union Councils in Islamabad.
The Chairman CDA apprised the committee that the required information would be presented in the next meeting. He also stated that no recruitments had taken place in the Union Councils over the past five years and that there were currently no vacant positions. The committee directed the Chairman, CDA to present a detail report on Senate Secretariat Employees Cooperative Housing Society (SSECHS) in the next meeting.
The report of the sub-committee concerning the murder case of Mustafa Amir in Karachi was presented before the Standing Committee for further consideration and recommendations.
