After fierce opposition, the Senate on Sunday approved the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, with a majority vote.
The National Assembly has already cleared the bill, after which it was referred to the relevant standing committee of the Senate last time it was presented in the upper house of Parliament after resistance from both sides of the aisle.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the bill in the upper house.
Presenting the bill today on behalf of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said some changes had been made to the bill.
He said after deliberation, the government had withdrawn the clause seeking to empower intelligence agencies to arrest citizens without a warrant.
He also outlined several other changes to the legislation and requested that it be put into passage.
During the session on Sunday, the bill again received strong opposition but got approval with a majority vote.
Senator Mushtaq said the bill had many contentious issues and should not be passed in its current state.
However, he was not granted permission by the House to present amendments.
Senator Kamran Murtaza strongly criticised the timing of the bill when the government is about to complete its term.
Senator Nawabzada Umar said such a bill should not be brought to the upper house.
