ISLAMABAD: A draft bill which recommends an increase in imprisonment time for thieves was approved on Wednesday.

The bill titled `The Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2014` was moved by MNAs Kishwar Zehra, Sufyan Yousaf, Syed Waseem Hussein and Syed Asif Hasnain.

`Crime has evolved and has become more organised. The present three years of imprisonment has not resulted in a reduction of theft and is not an effective deterrent. The gangs of today operate locally, across districts and provinces which makes it difficult to control theft, especially when the police is equally inefficient or colludes with them,` MNA Zehra told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control. She has recommended that the prison term for theft be increased to seven yearsand more, depending on the value of the items stolen.

`The current punishment is not enough and does not reform offenders,` she said and called for a system of punishment with quantum and financial implications.

However, representatives of the law ministry said the current prison term was enough of a deterrent.

`The British made these laws and had researched well before stipulating punishments for various crimes.

Increase in sentences will likely increase crime,` a draftsman from the Ministry of Law and Justice said.

Kishwar Zehra then gave the example of Saudi Arabia, where severe punishments were used as deterrents. Secretary Ministry of Interior Arif Ahmed Khan called for consultations on the issue, especially with the provinces.

The committee then unanimously agreed to increase prison sentences to five years for theft. The draft bill will now be tabled in the National Assembly for debate.Movers of the bill also said that those involved in issuing fake bank cheques also preferred serving a prison sentence to repaying their loans and liabilities during business transactions.

The committee agreed to Kishwar Zehra`s suggestion of making those who issue bogus cheques pay double the amount of what they owe in addition to imprisonment.

`The crime of issuing bogus cheques is so common that this seemingly harsh punishment is the only way to curb it,` she argued.

The current penalty of issuing a bogus cheque is three years of imprisonment extendable to three years with a fine unless the issuer ensures it will be honoured.

The offence of threats through telephones and the internet and extortion were discussed and the meeting also discussed the sale of sheesha in certain eateries despite a ban on them in Islamabad. Members of the committee called for the implementation of law against owners of these eateries.