The government will introduce a bill in the Senate aimed at preventing “violent extremism” and prohibiting such individuals and organizations from voting. Minister of State Shahadat Awan proposed the bill.
Violent extremism is defined in the proposed bill draft as acts of incitement, support, threats, and use of violence and enmity motivated by political, religious, sectarian, or intellectual convictions.
It also includes sponsoring and protecting individuals or organizations involved in violent extremism, both of which will be illegal under the law.
Violent individuals and those associated with violent organizations, including leaders, officials, and workers, could risk incarceration for 90 days to 12 months under this measure. However, the person who is wronged will be able to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Following the enactment of the bill, the government may add a person or organization to lists 1 and 2 on violent extremism.
Meanwhile, as a result of this bill, violent organizations and individuals on the lists will be barred from voting. At the same time, no financial institution will lend money to its leader, member, or official.
According to the proposed law, the act will be known as the Prevention of Violent Extremism Act, 2023, and it will be applicable throughout Pakistan.
Those included to the bill’s first list will be entities active in violent extremism and whose head is violent, or organizations that reappear with a new name.
The second list will include people who are involved in violent extremism, are members of a violent outfit or its leader, or provide financial support to a violent organization.
The government will restrict media access or publication of violent individuals and organizations, according to the draught bill.
The proposed bill said that a violent person or head of a violent outfit would face restrictions. Aside from that, the government will look into the deadly group’s assets.
According to the proposed bill, the leaders, officials, and members of the violent organization’s arms licenses would be revoked, and their assets, properties, and bank accounts will be frozen. In the meanwhile, their passports will be confiscated, and they will be unable to go overseas.
The government, on the other hand, will either direct the violent person to leave or stay in a specific area. It will also investigate the violent person’s assets, as well as the assets of their family, siblings, and relatives.
Depending on their behavior, the government may reconsider removing a violent organization or institution from the list.
Within 30 days, the aggrieved organization or individual must make an application with the review committee; however, if the application is denied, an appeal must be made with the high court.
No public servant, according to the bill’s draft, will allow themselves or their families to be involved in violent extremism. Violent extremist content will be removed or prohibited from social media promptly, it added.
The criminal offence will be tried by the session court and will not be bailable, cognizable, or compoundable.
The police or another authority will investigate and enquire into the incident. A person found guilty of violent extremism will be sentenced to three to ten years in prison and fined up to Rs2 million.
Anyone who breaches this law faces imprisonment for one to five years and a fine of up to Rs1 million. A group involved in violent extremism will be fined Rs5 million and dissolved as a result.
