Mobile snatching may soon face strict punishment in Pakistan as lawmakers consider a new bill aimed at controlling the sharp rise in street crime across major cities. The proposal introduces clearer legal definitions and stronger penalties to prevent offenders from exploiting loopholes.
Committee Reviews Major Changes to Criminal Law
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control held a detailed discussion on the Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2025. The meeting, chaired by Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, included a briefing from MNA Khawaja Izhar ul Hassan, who explained why Pakistan’s current laws fail to curb armed mobile theft.
Hassan said that the Pakistan Penal Code does not specifically define mobile snatching, leaving police and courts to treat these incidents as simple theft. According to him, criminals often secure bail because existing laws do not classify snatching as a separate or serious crime.
The new bill aims to add Section 382A to the Pakistan Penal Code of 1860. This section would officially define snatching as any act involving intimidation, threats, or force to take someone’s movable property, including mobile phones or jewellery. The punishment under this section would include rigorous imprisonment for up to ten years along with a monetary fine.
The proposal also suggests amending the Code of Criminal Procedure so that cases involving armed snatching in public areas are sent directly to a special court. With this change, the offence would become non bailable and non compoundable, giving police the power to arrest suspects without needing a warrant.
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Hassan informed the committee that all provinces and regions, including Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, AJK, and GB, reviewed the bill and expressed support. A senior Interior Ministry official also backed the proposal. However, the Law Ministry representative requested more time to fine tune the draft wording. The committee agreed and postponed the final approval to its next meeting.
The government hopes that these legal updates will help reduce street crime and ensure that offenders face meaningful consequences.
