ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Monday approved the ‘The Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill 2017’ which calls for restraint on marriages under 18 years of age.
The bill was moved by Senator Sehar Kamran following which a debate on the issue ensued among members of the panel. Sehar apprised the committee that the same bill had already been approved by Punjab and Sindh assemblies, adding that early age marriages were leading to a number of social and health concerns within the society.
Senator Col (r) Tahir Hussain Mashadi lauded the proposed bill terming it as a ‘very good legislation’.
Meanwhile, Senator Javed Abbasi and Senator Chaudhary Tanvir opposed the bill stating that it was in violation to the injunctions of Islam.
The bill was eventually passed by three to two votes.
In addition to this, the Senate Standing Committee also approved ‘The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2017’, which was moved by Senator Chaudhary Tanvir . The bill seeks punishment for 48 hours detention, seven-day imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs10, 000 on misconduct in public by a drunken person.
Moreover, another bill for ‘The Prevention of Witchcraft Bill, 2017’ was passed by the panel in an attempt to curb the widely practiced witchcraft which has been causing substantial harm to people, besides leading to exploitation of vulnerable sections of the society.
According to the bill, the promotion, propagation or performance of witchcraft practices has been declared a criminal offence which results in ‘grave physical or mental harm’ and stringent action will be taken against those found guilty of indulging in the act.
“The Protection of Rights of Transgender Person Bill, 2017” moved by Rubina Khalid is currently being reviewed by a sub-committee, headed by Senator Saif, following which a report will be sent to the panel within two weeks.