Senate body incorporates ATCs' jurisdiction in Zainab Alert bill.

Byline: Ikram Junaidi

ISLAMABAD -- The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights on Monday decided to incorporate the jurisdiction of anti-terrorism courts (ATC) in the Zainab Alert bill so that it is implemented across the country and not just in Islamabad.

The Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Bill 2020 was tabled by Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari as an administrative bill for the recovery of missing children.

However, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights incorporated the death penalty into the bill before it was passed by the lower house and sent to the Senate for consideration.

During the Senate committee meeting, chair Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar from the PPP said the bill was only meant for the Islamabad Capital Territory.

'I personally believe that cases regarding the abduction and exploitation of children should be heard in ATCs as we all know the situation of other courts. So we should create the jurisdiction of ATCs in the bill, as Article 143 of Constitution empowers parliament to enforce its laws across the country. Moreover, it is in the fourth schedule's section 55 that parliament can enhance the jurisdiction of the courts apart from Supreme Court,' he said.

Human rights functional committee chair says bill does not need to be redrafted by ministry, will be amended by members

PTI Senator Dr Mehr Taj Roghani supported the proposal, adding a child was raped and killed in Nowshera just a few days ago.

'If we do the legislation just for the federal capital, the provinces may not do it for five years,' she said.

Mutahidda Qaumi Movement Senator Mohammad Ali Khan Saif also agreed and added that the definition of 'child' in the law should be changed to anyone below the age of 18, so that it was implemented in Pakistan in line with international definitions.

PTI Senator Faisal Javed, who initially said the bill should be passed without delay, later expressed support for the senators who wanted to expand the jurisdiction of the proposed law.

But PPP Senator Quratulain Marri opposed the suggestion, saying the bill should remain limited to the capital and the provinces should pass their...

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