ISLAMABAD- Federal Minister Zahid Hamid informed the Senate Standing Committee on Interior that all the reservations of the political parties on Protection of Pakistan Bill had been removed.
Zahid Hamid was addressing an informal meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior today. He said that approximately 95 percent work had been completed on the Protection of Pakistan Bill and the bill was awaiting approval by the committee. The meeting of the standing committee could not be initiated formally due to the absence of its members.
The Federal Minister informed the committee that they had held meeting with leaders of Pakistan People's Party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, JUI and all other political parties.
During the meetings, the reservations expressed by them on the bill have been alleviated. He said almost 95 percent work has been done on the bill and after taking approval from the standing committee, it will be tabled in the Upper House.
The Chairman of the Standing committee Senator Talha Mehmood said that the bill could not be approved without reviewing every section of the bill. He assured the government that the committee would extend its fullest cooperation to make part of the bill to the laws which were necessary in the wake of the current situation of the country.
Advisor to Prime Minister Khawaja Zaheer urged for approval of the bill immediately due to the ongoing Waziristan operation as stringent laws are must for the elimination of terrorism.