ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday passed three private members’ bills, including the Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or under Custodial Investigation Bill, 2020, which provides for the protection of the rights of persons arrested or detained by the authorities.
Farooq Naek from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) presented this bill in the Senate meeting presided over by Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Already passed by the Senate’s committee concerned, the bill aims to “define rights of a person arrested, detained or under custodial investigation, as well as, to codify the duties of the arresting, detaining and investigating officers, and providing penalties for violations.”
Speaking on the floor of the House, Naek said, Article 14 of the Constitution of Pakistan ensures the protection of the dignity of every person. “Worldwide, if any person is arrested, they have rights. The authorities have to provide reasons in writing to the arrested person regarding the arrest,” Naek said.
“In Pakistan, anyone who gets arrested has to move courts to get their rights,” the senator said, adding that the said bill seeks to ensure the said rights.
“If this bill is passed, any arrested or detained person will have access to facilities like legal assistance, food and hospital,” Naek said.
The Fatal Accidents (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2023, were the other two private members’ bills passed by the Senate. PPP’s Shahdat Awan moved both the bills.
The Fatal Accidents (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to ensure speedy justice and enable legal heirs of the victims to receive compensation in case of death due to fatal accidents.
The Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to facilitate compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations.
News bills were introduced in the House and referred to the relevant standing committees.
They included: The Pakistan Psychological Council Bill, 2025, Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill, 2025, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Islamabad Capital Territory (Prohibition of Plastic Book Covers) Bill, 2025, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The Senate’s session was adjourned till Thursday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.