The Senate has passed bills related to preventing human trafficking, begging abroad and sending teenage girls abroad for prostitution.
In the Senate, chaired by Sherry Rehman, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar presented the three bills, which were unanimously approved by the House, with no member opposing.
Before presenting the bill, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that there are continuous accidents involving boats carrying illegal immigrants, while beggars are going abroad under the guise of Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan and bringing disrepute to the country. The aim of presenting the bill is to give strict punishment to those involved in these crimes.
Under the Prevention of Smuggling of Immigrants Amendment Bill 2025, the second bill Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Amendment Bill 2025 and the third bill to further amend the Immigration Ordinance 1979, those involved in these crimes will be punished with imprisonment for 3 to 10 years and fine, while the ringleader involved in begging abroad will be severely punished.
In addition, the Finance Bill and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2025 were also presented in the Senate, on which proposals were sought by Monday. The Finance Committee will submit a report on the proposals within 10 days, after which the recommendations will be sent to the National Assembly.
The Senate also passed a resolution presented by Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz regarding peaceful gatherings. The text of the resolution stated that peaceful gatherings are the right of all political parties, including the PTI. Permission should be given if a peaceful gathering is held anywhere in the country.
The Law Minister said that we cannot force the provincial government, the draft should be subject to the constitution and law, while the text of the resolution should be made appropriate, to which Senator Shibli Faraz said that the House’s opinion should be sought on this.
