Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed MNA Ali Muhammad Khan revealed in the National Assembly on Tuesday that the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 - proposing stricter penalties for derogatory remarks against revered religious personalities, including the Holy Prophet's (PBUH) family, Ummahatul Momineen, companions, and the four caliphs - remains unsigned by the president over three years after clearing both houses of parliament.
According to Khan, the legislation was neither signed nor returned by the president. However, the PTI lawmaker, a former parliamentary affairs minister, appeared unaware that former president Arif Alvi had returned the bill on August 21, 2023, with two objections. The subsequent fate of the legislation remains unclear.
Since April 4, 126 bills approved by the National Assembly and Senate have become acts of parliament following presidential assent. The amendment bill was passed by the National Assembly on January 17, 2023, and by the Senate on August 7, 2023. Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, presiding over Tuesday's session, noted that Arif Alvi was president at the time, adding that the house would be informed once the exact situation is ascertained.
The bill seeks to amend Section 298-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, increasing penalties for defiling the sacred names of the Holy Prophet's wives, family members, caliphs, or companions from three years to life imprisonment with a minimum 10-year term. Alvi's initial objections concerned provisions making the offense non-bailable and granting warrantless arrest powers to police, which he warned could lead to abuse, though he raised no objection to the enhanced sentence itself.