ISLAMABAD: The Senate Committee on Interior Tuesday approved a set of bills concerning enhancement in the deterrence related to human smuggling, illegal emigration and begging.
The committee approved the “Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Bill, 2025”, through which the minimum sentence has been increased to three years from one year and a maximum of 14 years, while the fine has been hiked to Rs10 million to strengthen the legal provisions and to enhance deterrence.
The committee met at the Parliament House with Senator Faisal Saleem in the chair. The meeting deliberated on various legislative and administrative matters and discussed the “Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Bill, 2025”. Secretary Interior emphasized the need to strengthen the legal provisions to enhance deterrence. Officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice said the previous prison term was for seven years, which had been enhanced for deterrence. The law ministry informed the committee that the amendment introduced a minimum sentence of three years, which will reinforce deterrence and ensure better enforcement of the law.
The committee unanimously agreed to pass the bill and underscored the importance of strict adherence to legal enforcement. Additionally, the committee reviewed “The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill, 2025”. Secretary interior highlighted that a significant number of individuals involved in trafficking have been apprehended. Senator Umar Farooq asked whether the previous laws had failed to prevent human trafficking. “How many people have been prosecuted under the previous laws? Human traffickers are not weak; they are powerful people,” he said.
The bill stated that the diplomatic missions of Pakistan in GCC countries and Malaysia had highlighted that some Pakistanis who came to these countries for Haj, Umrah, Ziarat and personal visits were involved in begging and urged the Pakistani authorities to take stern action against their agents and the gangs involved in this business.
Following an exchange of views, the chairman committee directed the ministry to share the relevant data with the committee and examine cases where individuals were involved through agents. He further stressed the need to ensure that only authorised agents were recommended for public dealing. The committee also discussed “The Emigration (Amendment) Bill, 2025”. Officials from the FIA reported that the fines for the offenders had been increased to Rs one million. They added that extending imprisonment sentences would serve as a stronger deterrent against violations.
The committee also discussed the revamping of Parliament Lodges. The chairman Capital Development Authority briefed the committee on delays and project progress. He said a summary for a complete revamping of Parliament Lodges had been submitted to the interior ministry and if funds were allocated in the current budget, a full revamp would proceed. The available budget had already been reviewed and approval secured, he added.
The committee was informed that the project initially commenced in 2011 but faced land-related issues. Its completion was originally scheduled for 2013, but the timeline was extended due to complications. The committee was told that two entities occupied land that originally belonged to the CDA, further delaying the project.
Chairman Committee Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman directed the CDA to provide a copy of the project contract, expressing concern that despite originating in 2011, the building remained incomplete. He also inquired about the annual expenditure of the project and whether funds were being utilized effectively.
On the query of Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the CDA chairman said if they were paid Rs8 billion in lumpsum, the civil structure would be built in one year. The committee agreed after which Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman directed the CDA to provide a copy of the project. He further urged the CDA to improve the living conditions at the Parliament Lodges. The committee unanimously recommended forwarding the matter to the Planning Division for further execution and suggested that the CDA chairman personally visit the lodges for a clearer assessment.
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