The National Assembly has approved the Contempt of Parliament Bill 2023. Penalties of 6 months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 crore have been proposed in the bill.
Under the leadership of Speaker Raja Parvez Ashraf, a session of the National Assembly was held where Rana Qasim Noon presented the Contempt of Parliament Bill 2023.
The bill will be applicable in case of violation of the directives of the parliamentary committee and will enforce the law in case of any member or committee’s misconduct. The matter of contempt can also be referred to the committee through a motion in the Assembly.
The bill proposes various penalties for contempt of parliament, and any government or state official can be summoned. A 24-member parliamentary committee will be responsible for investigating contempt of parliament cases.
According to the bill, the Speaker or Chairman Senate can announce the punishment for the respective individual, and an appeal can be made to the joint committee of the Assembly against the punishment.
The bill suggests a punishment of 6 months imprisonment and a fine of one crore rupees.