Islamabad: The National Assembly unanimously passed the “Contempt of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) Bill, 2023”. Which seeks up to six months in prison and a Rs1 million punishment for “breach of the sovereignty and integrity of the legislature in any form or shade”.
Rana Qasim Noon, PTI dissident and Chairman Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, submitted the measure in the lower house, which passed it. NA Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf presided.
Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, said the law will increase parliament’s oversight.
Tanveer said a legislation on parliament’s contempt was needed, adding that every other institution has a contempt statute.
Moreover, A 24-member Parliamentary Contempt Committee will investigate parliament contempt charges under the proposed law. As proposed, the committee will have equal government and opposition members.
Moreover, The law lets the committee summon state or government officials for contempt of Parliament.
While, The committee will report to the NA speaker and Senate chairman, who will subsequently punish the offender.
Moreover, This law allows a house to charge a person with contempt and refer the subject to the Contempt Committee. The committee chairman may move a House motion to prosecute a person for contempt.
Within 30 days after this Act’s start, the speaker must form a Contempt Committee. The Contempt Committee will have 24 equal-house members.
Contempt Committee
Moreover, The Contempt Committee will contain fourteen members from the Treasury Benches. Seven from each House, and ten from the opposition benches. Five from each House, appointed by the Leader of the Opposition of each House.
While, Contempt Committee Secretary is National Assembly Secretariat Secretary. The contempt Committee’s majority vote will be recommendations.
The bill grants everyone the constitutional right to a fair trial, but no one can appear before the Committee through a lawyer or advocate. The Contempt Committee will elect a chairman during its first meeting.
On committee recommendation, a House may impose any of this Act’s punishments: Contempt of a House or Committee can result in six months of simple imprisonment, a one million rupee fine, or both.
After complaining about the Supreme Court and other state institutions meddling in executive decisions, the existing government called for a contempt of parliament law.
The NA’s Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges approved a “contempt of parliament bill” this month in response to those calls.
