The mover of the bill said that the establishment of national centre for countering violent extremism is mandatory in the country as not only the students of different seminaries in the country are involved in extremism but highly qualified students are also inclining towards extremism. The center should be headed by the defense minister, the bill proposed.
According to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, in order to accomplish the objectives of the National Action Plan (NAP) 2015 and to comprehend the menace of violet extremism, ethnic polarization and religious fragmentation or intolerance, this bill intends to enhance national integration and inclusion through coordinated efforts.
Ihsan Ghani, National Coordinator National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) said that the establishment of national centre for countering violent extremism exists in the NACTA Act; however, the chairman of the centre should be interior minister instead of defense minister.
He said that the mandate of countering extremism lies with the NACTA, adding that the national centre for countering violent extremism should be established at the NACTA headquarters. After having detailed discussion, the committee unanimously passed the bill.
According to the brief submitted by the NACTA before the committee, the NACTA has already been mandated to propose counter-terrorism and counter extremism strategies to the government vide Section 4 of the NACTA Act 2013; therefore, the creation of another body with functions similar with the NACTA under Ministry of Defence will be a burden on the national exchequer. The bill may be amended to include minister for interior as the head of board of governors and National Coordinator NACTA as a convener to conduct all businesses of the board on behalf of the minister.
The committee also approved 'The Minimum Wages (Amendment) Act, 2017' moved by MNA Fouzia Hameed, seeking to ensure payment of minimum wages in a transparent manner. According to the statement of objects and reasons, the Minimum Wages Ordinance 1961 needs to be amended for incorporation of: a) mode of payment of salary/wage through bank account; b) determination of working hours; c) fixing over time allowance; and d) provision of punishment in case of non-compliance.
Moreover, agreement between employer and employees/worker has been proposed to be made through a written agreement duly signed by an oath commissioner in order to ensure payment of minimum wage timely in a transparent manner. The committee also constituted a subcommittee in the convenership of Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur which will pay a visit to Karachi prison in view of checking violations of the jail's manual.
While briefing the committee about prohibited bore weapons licences, Special Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Rizwan Ahmad said that the licences of prohibited bore have been suspended with the approval of the federal cabinet while the ban on the issuance of non-prohibited bore (NPB) arms licences has been lifted. He said that prohibited bore licence holders have also been given option to either to get such weapons converted into non-automatic weapons or deposit the same with the relevant district authorities.
The second option for the prohibited bore licensed holders is to deposit their automatic weapons with the respective deputy commissioner, DCO, district magistrate or political agent at a compensation price of Rs 50,000 per automatic rifle and Rs 20,000 per automatic pistol or handgun. Following the conversion of prohibited bore weapon to semi-automatic, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) will start issuance of licences to citizens, he added.