ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Parliamentary Affairs on Friday deferred consideration of “The Election (Amendment) Bill, 2025” after deliberations on the Bill and decided to allow further discussion on the subject.
“The Election (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced by Ms. Shazia Marri and Syed Naveed Qamar, MNAs, seeking amendment to Section 138, Act XXXIII of 2017.
The committee met with its Chairman Rana Iradat Sharif Khan in the chair, here at the Parliament House. According to the Statement and Objectives of the Bill, the purpose of the amendment is to “ensure a balanced approach between transparency and the protection of individual rights.
“While the publication of statements of assets and liabilities serves a vital role in promoting public accountability, enhancing trust in public office, and ensuring good governance, it is recognised that unrestricted or excessive disclosure could potentially compromise the personal security and privacy of parliamentarians and their families”.
In Section 138, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely: “Provided that the extent of disclosure, under this section, shall give due regard to the balance between public Interest for good governance and individual’s privacy and security.”
“Provided further that the extent to which the first proviso apply shall be determined by the Speaker of the concerned Assembly and in case of Senate the Chairman.”
The committee engaged in a substantive discussion, and after deliberations, deferred the consideration of the Bill to allow further discussion on the subject.
The committee was apprised that National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is expanding its operational capacity.
Furthermore, the NCCIA has enhanced coordination with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to curb the misuse of illegal SIMs.
The committee raised concerns regarding financial crimes, fraudulent activities targeting the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), and the security risks posed by cross-border radio transmissions. It was assured that NCCIA is actively working to strengthen safeguards against such vulnerabilities.
The committee resolved to hold a dedicated briefing on financial crimes in coordination with NCCIA and PTA at a subsequent meeting.
Meanwhile, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Parliamentary Affairs was informed that Afghan SIMs are able to access mobile signals inside Pakistan with the assistance of local telecom operators.
According to officials of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Afghan SIMs continue to function in border regions with the help of Pakistani cellular companies.
The officials revealed during the briefing that while SIMs from the United Kingdom have been blocked. The NCCIA further disclosed that fraudulent transactions are being carried out via money transactions mode through phones, where SIM identity verification remains a major loophole.
The agency said it is working closely with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to address the issue. Committee Chairman Rana Iradat sought clarification on what action has been taken against devices used for illegal SIM registration. The officials of NCCIA officials told the committee that briefing on Afghan SIMs will be given in the committee’s next session.
Committee member Naeema Kishwar highlighted that in rural areas, fingerprints are often collected under the guise of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and misused for SIM activation. She added that Afghan SIMs are easily available in Peshawar, where they are reportedly being used for extortion and other criminal activities.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Naveed Qamar has said while election candidates already declare their assets with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), civil servants have expressed reservations that making such information public could pose security risks.
PML-N’s Qamar Islam Raja and Shazia Farid, along with PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan, opposed any move to shield lawmakers’ assets from public disclosure, insisting that transparency was necessary.
PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan said “judges, bureaucrats and the military establishment should, like parliamentarians, declare their assets so that the public know whether their representatives and officials are strengthening the country or not.”