The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution, paying rich tribute to the brave soldiers of Pakistan army, who embraced martyrdom in the recent incident of helicopter crash during flood relief operations in Balochistan.

The resolution, moved by Senator Sarfraz Bugti, appreciated the services of the security forces in carrying out relief efforts to help the flood-hit people in various parts of the country, including Balochistan.

The House also acknowledged services of the security forces for peace and stability in the country. 

The Senate also passed the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022.

It was moved by Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan.

The bill is aimed at excluding private transactions from the scope of the National Accountability Bureau. Under the amendments, the pecuniary jurisdiction of the NAB has been fixed to take only action against mega scandals. Besides, supplementary references can only be filed with the permission of the court to expedite the proceedings of the court within one year.  

As per the bill, the investigation officers shall not harass any person at the time of investigation or inquiry and they will confine their question relevant to the investigation or inquiry or for extracting evidence.

Under the bill, the accused must be informed whether he has been summoned in the capacity of accused or witness and information be given to him to enable him to give his evidence.  Section 25 is related to protect the interest of the Government that in case persons entering into plea bargain fail to make payment, pursuant to the payment approved by the court, the plea bargain agreement will become infructuous.

The House also passed “the Public Private Partnership Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2022.” However, the House referred “the Publication of Laws of Pakistan (Amendment Bill), 2022” to the standing committee concerned for further deliberations and discussions.  

Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan has said PTI should shun the practice of pressurizing and maligning state institutions.

Responding to the criticism by the opposition members, he said PTI eulogizes an institution if it decides in its favor and starts criticizing if a decision does not suites to the PTI leadership.

The Minister of State said state institutions are symbol of national unity and everyone should respect them.

The House will now meet on Friday at 10:30 a.m.