Senate sub-body formed to examine Electronic Crime Bill 2016

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications on Wednesday formed a sub-committee to examine the Prevention of Electronic Crime Bill, 2016. The Senate had referred the proposed piece of legislation to the panel on May 17 this year. The decision to form a sub-committee was made by the committee during its meeting, chaired by its chairman Senator Shahi Syed of Awami National Party.

The members of the committee were unanimous on the need that the bill required a detailed consideration and realised that the stakeholders needed to be taken into confidence to add more solidity to this piece of legislation.

It was pointed out that Senator Karim Khawaja of PPP had also introduced a private member bill, in this regard and therefore the sub-committee would consider both the bills and seek views from the stakeholders through public hearings to formulate solid recommendations.

Shahi Syed urged all the stakeholders to approach the sub-committee and submit their recommendations in writing so they could be considered and finalised.

Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman said that work on the bill was started in 2009. However, it was presented in the National Assembly only after evolving consensuses among all the political parties in the Parliament.

However, she said, suggestions from the Senate in the bill would be welcomed. Former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik suggested to the government to thrash out a data protection act prior to deliberation on the bill. He emphasised that being an important bill and it should not be passed in a hurry.

The sub-committee comprises Senators Usman Saifullah Khan of PPP as its convener, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Syed Shibli Fraz and Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz as its members.

The committee also discussed the affairs of TIP Cooperative Housing Society with reference to details of total land acquired, number of plots and irregularities committed during allotment of plots.

Chairman of the committee informed that the committee had earlier visited TIP Colony, schools, hospitals and its allied facilities. Details of 2451 kanals of land were placed before the committee and there was no mention of the 1000 Kanals.

The committee expressed its concern over the issue and called for a detailed investigation. Minister for Information Technology  Anusha Rehman informed the committee that irregularities have been found and the issue has been referred to NAB for a thorough investigation.

The meeting was attended by Senators Taj Muhammad Afridi from Fata , Mufti Abdul Sattar of JUI-Fazl, Najma Hameed of PML-N, Karim Ahmad Khawaja, Farhatullah Babar, Rubina Khalid, Abdul Rehman Malik and Gianchand of PPP, Usman Saifullah Khan, Syed Shibli Fraz, ANP’s Sitara Ayaz, Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari, independent Senator, who sits on the treasury benches.