Propaganda against armed forces: Senate adopts unanimous resolution for severe punishment

ISLAMABAD: It was a private members day, and the Senate adopted a unanimous resolution, moved by PPP lawmaker Behramand Tangi from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seeking severe punishment for those who are indulging in propaganda against the armed forces.

The resolution called for a ten year disqualification from public office for those ‘found involved in negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces and other security agencies of Pakistan’. However, during the session, he explained that he has amended the resolution to remove the demand for a decade-long disqualification and sought action as per the law. The resolution expressed deep concern over the ‘negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces and other security agencies on various social media platforms’.

It highlighted the ‘huge sacrifices of armed forces and other security agencies in the war against terror and for the defence and protection of the country’s borders’ and acknowledges that a ‘strong army and other security agencies are indispensable for the defence of the country especially in view of the hostile neighbourhood’.

The resolution reads, “The Senate of Pakistan, therefore, recommends that the government takes necessary steps to award severe punishment as per law for all those found involved in negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces and other security agencies of Pakistan”. The House will now meet Tuesday morning.

Senators contended that the issue of enforced disappearances was genuine and should be dealt with accordingly and concerns of people must be addressed for calm and peace. They wanted the government to listen to the protesting Baloch people’s demands and take steps for their redressal.

PMLN member Mushahid Hussain Syed surprised many when raised the issue of mass rejection of nomination papers of PTI candidates and warned it was detrimental to democracy. “If you weaken political parties, you weaken the federation. Old mistakes must not be repeated,” he maintained. The veteran lawmaker contended that the upcoming elections should not be like the ones conducted in 2018, explaining the previous elections were manipulated and engineered by the intelligence and security services. He referred to the Result Transmission System (RTS) failure and cautioned that ‘if we have to move forward, the process should not be repeated.

JUIF’s Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri from Balochistan rose to contend that peace an essential prerequisite for elections while referring to the ‘worsening law and order situation’ with a particular reference to recent armed attack on ‘Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s convoy in DI Khan’, when he was at home. He pointed out the northern parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will remain in the grip of severe cold in January and February while referring to the elections and said his party will actively take part in the elections if institutions including the court were adamant to hold the polls on February 8.

Referring to various incidents, the National Party’s Tahir Bizenjo said that the year 2023 was devastating for democracy, politics and economy. “I have my fears for the left over democracy,” he remarked and noted that the enforced disappearances in Balochistan were a reality and that it was not an issue of missing persons.

Awami National Party’s Haji Hidayatullah explained that as many as 1200 leaders and workers of his party had become victims of terrorist activities since 2008 while they were pushed against the wall in 2013 elections and the same game was played against it in 2018. He said the party’s leader Aimal Wali Khan (son of party supremo Asfandyar Wali) was receiving threats ahead of 2024 polls again and it was a matter of grave concern for them.

Citing recent incidents of violence, Senator Kamran Murtaza of JUIF wondered if the job of the caretakers was just restricted to issuing threat alerts. Then he asked if it was an election environment and questioned how can his party run election campaign.

Younger brother of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, lawmaker Attaur Rahman said election environment should be provided if elections are to take place. He added it was not possible for his party’s leaders to travel in DI Khan and Tank. “Should we understand that an attempt is being made again to hijack elections. Our party is not opposed to elections but its way should not be blocked this way,” he remarked.

Senator Humayun Mohmand of PTI regretted that not only his party’s candidates, but also their proposers and seconders were also being picked up. He alleged that the caretaker government was unable to meet its constitutional obligation of holding free and fair elections. He went on to decry that the level of interference in the electoral process had increasing for the last over two decades, whereas holding of transparent elections was the need for stability in the country.

BAP Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri moved another resolution recommending the government to take immediate steps to cater needs of all students with diverse cultural backgrounds and to reform the higher education curriculum to apprise students of the consequences and risks of drug usage.

It also demanded to devise a monitoring mechanism in all the universities for enforcement of the “Policy on Drug and Tobacco Abuse in Higher Education Institutions 2021” in letter and spirit.

Another resolution of PTI Senator Seemee Ezdi was not taken up due to the absence of lawmaker which recommended the government to prioritise climate change projects in its development budget and allocate sufficient funds for climate change adaptation.

Meanwhile, the members of the Upper House of the Parliament on Monday called for initiating a national dialogue and highlighted the issue of Balochistan protestors in the Capital.

The third convening of the 334th Senate session was held with Senator Sadiq Sanjrani in the chair that started with the call from senators for allowing to speak on the issue of Balochistan protestors.

The Chairman Senate in his welcome remarks felicitated the members of the House at the commencement of the New Year before initiating the proceedings.

Senator Muhammad Akram of the National Party said the protest had started from Balochistan and the protestors reached the Federal Capital after a long journey. He pointed out the plight of the women and the protestors under open skies that also included children.

He also called for addressing the missing persons issue without further delay.

Senator Kamran Murtaza of JUIP condemned the terrorist attacks on his party leaders and termed it harmful for democracy.

Senator Maulvi Faiz Muhammad of JUIP said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure protection of life, property and honour of the citizens. The terrorist activities in Balochistan were regrettable and commendable, whereas the government must make serious efforts to address the terrorism issue.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed apprised the House that during his recent participation at an international conference on Palestine in Tehran, he on behalf of the House expressed full solidarity with Palestinians and paid tribute to their fight against Israeli occupation.

He said the plight of Baloch women protestors was regrettable and should not be repeated in any manner.

Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi condemned Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, leader Manzoor Pashteen for using foul language against national institutions of the country. Tangi demanded Pashteen to stop propaganda against the state and join politics to become part of the mainstream political discourse.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Muhammad Sami Saeed on Monday said that 36 projects with a cumulative value of $24 billion have been successfully completed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Additionally, 22 projects with a total investment of five billion dollars are currently under construction, he said while concluding a debate on motion under rule 218 in Senate, focusing on the underdevelopment of Balochistan despite the claims of successive governments to promote the region’s growth through CPEC and other Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects.

Providing specific updates on Gwadar, Sami Saeed stated that significant milestones, such as the completion of the master plan for Gwadar city, the East Expressway, and an international airport (anticipated completion in June), showcase the progress. Focusing on social and economic development in Balochistan, Minister Saeed mentioned initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Joint Horticulture Laboratory in Quetta, the distribution of ten thousand solar lighting units, and the establishment of a 20-bed burn center and medical emergency center in Quetta. Meanwhile, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Information Murtaza Solangi on Monday introduced two government bills in the Senate which were referred to the relevant committee.

The bills introduced in the Upper House included the Banking Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Deposit Protection Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Both bills were referred to the relevant committee for further consideration. Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani said the relevant minister had informed that these bills were being introduced to meet the requirements of world financial institutions.

Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Monday referred a total of 22 private members’ bills to the relevant committees for further deliberation and consultation.