NA Passes Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020

Islamabad, July 29 (Online Int’l): The National Assembly has on Wednesday approved the Anti-Terrorism Act Amendment Bill tabled by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan while the opposition tore up copies of the agenda.

According to details, the National Assembly passed “The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020″ and “The United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) Bill, 2020” with a majority vote amid sloganeering from the opposition benches. This legislation is related to fulfil certain requirements of the Financial Action Task Force in order to bring Pakistan out of FATF’s grey list.

The legislation is aimed at empowering the federal government to direct authorities in Pakistan to implement various measures in the Security Council resolutions including the freezing and seizure of assets, travel ban and arms embargo on the entities and individuals who are designated on the sanctions list of the United Nations. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 requires member states to implement counter terrorism measures, especially countering the financing of terrorism through their domestic laws. This obligation is implemented in Pakistan through Anti-Pakistan Act, 1997.

Minister for Communication and Postal Services Murad Saeed said there will be no compromise on accountability and no NRO will be extended to anyone. Taking the floor of the National Assembly, he said it is regrettable that the opposition parties want an NRO and are doing politics for extending support to an important legislation meant for the national interest of the country.

Ruckus was created earlier in the NA as well when Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tried to give a clarification following Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif’s allegations. The foreign minister said nobody will address the house if he is not allowed to speak. The opposition disappears when Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services addresses the NA, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said. Let it be known that Khawaja Asif had lashed out at Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, saying that he has crossed all the limits regarding the National Accountability Bureau   (NAB) Bill.

Speaking in the NA, the PML-N member said the impression was given that opposition parties are trying to create hurdles for the NAB law. PMLN’s Rana Sanaullah was illegally booked in the drugs case, he went on to say. Khawaja Asif said that history tells that those who make wrong laws ultimately fall prey to them. We are only demanding amendments in the laws, he clarified. The PMLN leader further added that the government is setting a new example of corruption by giving immunity to its ministers in BRT and Malam Jabba projects.

Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for latest news and updates!

Outgoing World Bank Country Director pays Farewell Call on PM

PAL to Organise 7 Day Celebration of Independence

Pakistani Cricket team’s training camp in Derby