Interior Ministry to draft bill to combat IEDs

     ISLAMABAD, Jan 3 (APP): The government has decided to legislate a
specific law against production and usage of Improvised Explosive Devices
(IEDs) with stern punishment to combat terrorism.
     The decision was made in a high level meeting, chaired by Minister
for Interior, Senator Rehman Malik here on Tuesday and was attended by
all heads of law enforcing agencies and police chiefs of all the provinces.
     The meeting decided to draft a bill for legislation to combat IEDs
through several measures to be suggested in the proposed legislation against
production, distribution, transportation and usage of IEDs throughout the
country with stern penalties and punishment to be imposed upon culprits in
the proposed legislation.
     It was decided to circulate the draft bill among the stakeholders for
their opinion or comments to be forwarded to the Ministry of Interior within
one week, which will be discussed or deliberated upon in the next meeting
being held on January 13.
     The meeting formed a standing committee headed by Secretary Interior
with membership of all Home secretaries, all IGPs and heads of other law
enforcement agencies for monitoring the measures being taken by all the
stakeholders and to suggest further improvements through the proposed
legislation.
     The body requested general public to offer their suggestions for
combating all forms of terrorism in the country, so that these suggestions
could be incorporated in the proposed legislation.
     Additional Secretary-III, Ministry of Interior and Director General
Civil Defence will draft the proposed bill in consultation with Law and
Justice Division and renowned lawyers having criminal practice, so that, no
loopholes could be left in the proposed legislation.