Protection of Pakistan Ordinance presented in Senate amid protests

The Protection of Pakistan Ordinance was presented in the Senate amid strong protests from opposition parties, Express News reported on Friday.

The ordinance, recently passed by the National Assembly, grants sweeping powers of arrest and detention to security forces. Federal minister Zahid Hamid presented the ordinance during the Senate session presided over by Deputy Chairperson Sabir Baloch. Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Awami National Party, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid protested against the ordinance, while PPP Senator Raza Rabbani labelled it as a “black law.”

After the discussion, the deputy chairperson sent the ordinance to the Standing Committee of Interior for review and asked the senators to record their reservations to the committee members.

Political parties and human rights organisations have criticised the law and called for drastic amendments before it is enacted into a law.

The government’s ability to pass any controversial legislation through the Senate will be severely challenged, as opposition parties, though divided, have an overwhelming majority in the house.

Having 39 members, Pakistan Peoples Party is the largest party in the Senate and sits on opposition benches since it was voted out in last year’s general elections for the National and provincial assemblies.