ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Sunday had to drop a bill aimed at curbing violent extremism after fierce opposition from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

The proposed law, titled ‘The Prevention of Violent Extremism Bill 2023’, said that those calling on others to show or use force, propagating and publishing extremist material, using all kinds of media for radicalisation or manipulating people’s beliefs, or provoking sectarian strife would be guilty of violent extremism.

However, several senators pointed out that the bill was PTI-specific, was being passed without following the due procedure and would target all political parties.

PTI’s Mohammad Humayun Mohmand said he did not know why the bill was being tabled on Sunday.

“If we do something in haste just because the government thinks little time remains, then haste makes waste,” he said, stressing that passing the legislation by following the due procedure would only add to its credibility.

Senators term legislation PTI-specific

PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that as a member of the ruling party, there was perhaps a “compulsion” that they would vote for the bills, adding that they would do so.

At the same time, he said that several of the bills on Sunday’s agenda were “important”. Tal­king about the bill, he said it covered “vast areas”.

He pointed out that the bill had 33 articles and 100 sub-clauses, adding that they applied to all, including politicians and common people.

He said the bill did not come from the National Assembly and had come directly to the Senate. “After coming to us directly, it is our responsibility to thoroughly look at it before sending it to the National Assembly. We agree with its aims and objectives, but we fear that if this bill is approved as it is without going to the committee […], then it may perhaps be difficult to escape its clutches in the future,” he said.

‘Open attack’ on democracy

According to the agenda, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah was supposed to table the bill. However, Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan moved it on behalf of the interior minister in his absence.

“Is it opposed?” asked Chairman Sanjrani, to which senators said it was. “Should I send it to the committee or take it to passage?” he then asked.

PTI’s Mohmand said it was an important bill that would affect people’s lives. “But when I was perusing the bill, it seemed as if Rana Sanaullah [named] the bill to prevent violent extremism, but maybe he wanted to prevent PTI from taking part in the next elections.” He said each clause “reeked” of targeting the PTI.

Senator Kamran Murtaza of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) said any such legislation required taking allied parties into confidence. He feared that the bill would become a problem down the line for all.

Senator Tahir Bizenjo of the National Party said that unfortunately two political parties —PPP and PML-N — were making all the decisions. He took issue with the PML-N, saying that they had not taken anyone into confidence over the legislation carried out during its tenure.

He said the current bill was an “open attack” on democracy, adding that he was “strongly opposing the bill”. He added, “If it is tabled, we will stage a token walkout.”

JUI-F Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said their coalition partners did not realise what would happen in the future.

Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmad said the 24-page bill was not only against the PTI but against all political parties. “This will prove to be the last nail in the coffin of democracy,” he said. “Non-elected forces want that democracy is laid to rest through the parliament,” he said as he opposed the bill.

Senate Chairman Sanjrani then said that the bill was a “routine matter” and Sunday’s session was called because it was decided in the business advisory that the days needed to be completed and three holidays would not be counted. “I drop this bill, whether or not the government does,” he said.

Mr Sanjrani later remarked that the bill had been “dropped” but would be taken up in the next session on Wednesday.

The bill

Under the proposed bill, a person may be listed if he or she is involved or concerned in violent extremism, is a leader, office-bearer, member, associate or employee of the listed organisation, or provides financial, logistic or any support in any manner to an organisation involved or concerned in violent extremism.

The actions the government would be able to take against listed organisations include restricting their access to the use of print, electronic and social media, restricting access to any private or public place, checking and probing the assets of the organisation or its leader, office-bearers and members, impounding their passports, cancel their arms licences, and freezing and seizing their assets, properties and bank accounts.

The proposed draft of the bill defines violent extremism as acts of incitement, support, threats and the use of violence and hostility stemming from political, religious, sectarian or ideological beliefs. It also encompasses financing and protecting individuals or groups engaged in violent extremism, all of which will be prohibited by law.

Under the bill, violent individuals and those involved with violent organisations, including leaders, officials, and workers, may face detention of 90 days to 12 months. However, the aggrieved person will retain the right to appeal to the high court.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2023