Islamabad, July 9 (ANI): The Pakistan government has planned to tame the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), through parliamentary legislation and make it fully 'answerable' to parliament and the government.
A 19-page draft of a bill was submitted in the Senate by president's spokesman Senator Farhatullah Babar a few days ago and may be taken up during the session commencing on Monday, reports The Dawn.
The proposed Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (Functions, Powers and Regulation) Act, 2012 recommends internal accountability and a better discipline system within the agency to put an end to enforced disappearances and victimisation of political parties.
It is for the first time that a serious effort is being made to streamline the affairs of the agency, which has always remained under criticism.
"If this serious effort has been made by a parliamentarian, it should be backed by all political parties, including opposition parties like the PML-N," Justice (retd) Tariq Mehmood said.
"The absence of appropriate legislation regulating the functioning, duties, powers and responsibilities of the agency is not consistent with the principles of natural justice and accountability of authority and power and has given rise to resentment against the premier national agency," the bill stated.
The bill also states that the ISI shall be directly under the prime minister and not under any ministry. Under the proposed act, any employee of the agency found in any way working for the enemy, any terrorist or terrorist organisation, or for any criminal or organised criminal group, could be punished with imprisonment for a 25 year term as well as.
The bill also recommends the appointment of an ombudsman by the president under Article 212 from amongst persons having special knowledge in the field of intelligence, law and administration. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
