Pakistan Senate passes bill to penalise Zionist propaganda, symbols

The Senate Standing Committee on Interior approved a bill on Thursday that proposes severe penalties for individuals promoting Zionist ideology and displaying Zionist symbols in Pakistan. 

The Criminal Law Amendment Bill, introduced by Senator Afnanullah Khan, aims to criminalize Zionist propaganda, arguing that it incites violence and disrupts social harmony. 

While speaking to the committee, Senator Afnanullah Khan stated, "Zionism fosters a divisive ideology on a global scale. Its detrimental impact is particularly evident in recent Gaza events, where children have fallen victim under this ideology." 

He claimed that Zionism breeds hostility and often encourages violence against those who dissent, highlighting the necessity to limit such influences within Pakistan. 

According to the bill, Zionism began with Nathan Birnbaum in 1890 as both an ethnic and religious movement but later transformed into a political agenda focused on establishing a Jewish homeland in Israel.

The bill contends that this ideology has frequently resorted to "extreme measures" to fulfill its goals. 

Under the proposed law, individuals convicted of disseminating Zionist propaganda could face a prison sentence of up to three years, along with a fine of Rs. 40,000. 

In contrast, displaying Zionist symbols would incur a lesser penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a Rs. 30,000 fine. Both offenses would be treated as bailable and would not require immediate detention. 

"There are advocates of Zionist ideology present here," remarked Senator Khan, noting that the intended legislation seeks to counteract such influences.