ISLAMABAD: An amendment to the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 – that gives powers to the air force to reopen cases, with retrospective effect, against retired officers – met strong opposition on Monday by Senator Farhatullah Babar who apprehended that it was aimed at targeting some individuals instead of making the ends of justice meet.
The PAF (Amendment) Bill, 2017, to amend the original PAF Act, 1953, with retrospective effect from January 1, 2000, was passed by the Senate Defence Committee.
The rationale for making legislation applicable from 17 years back had not been adequately explained, said Babar.
“It is wrong to allow arrest, investigation and trial of a former, long retired officer under the PAF Act instead of other applicable laws, as it raises serious question of intent,” he said.
“An officer who retired 17 years ago is a civilian and can be tried for alleged corruption under the stringent provisions of the NAB applicable from 1985. What is the special need for amending the PAF Act with backdated effect?” he asked.
“What is the rationale behind the specific date of January 1, 2000, and not making it applicable from January 1, 2010, or January 1, 1990?” he said, and asked if it was a person-specific.
After all, there must be some purpose behind a backdated legislation and that purpose must be fully explained, he said.
“If it is not person-specific then there is no need for the amendment. But if some cases have come to surface that necessitate backdated legislation, the same must be shared with the committee,” he said.
He said there would be no issue if the amendment was made with immediate effect, but giving it backdated effect was a bad law, which was unacceptable.
