ISLAMABAD-
The notorious Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) was presented in the Senate amid strong protests on Friday, a private news channel reported.
According to the report, Federal minister Zahid Hamid presented the bill in the house session presided over by Deputy Chairperson Sabir Baloch.
Opposition parties Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Awami National Party (ANP) recorded their protest against the bill.
Senator Raza Rabbani, from PPP, called the bill a ‘black law’, adding that it is an attempt to exploit the fundamental human rights.
The ordinance allows security agencies to exercise unchallenged powers of arrest and detention for 90 days.
Ruling government advocates for the bill, calling it a strengthening of the legal framework to combat criminals and terrorists active against Pakistan.
Opposition parties and human rights activists have strongly condemned the draconian bill, calling for drastic changes in the PPO before its promulgation.
The ordinance has been forwarded to the standing committee on interior for review.