A significant legal development unfolded in Islamabad as the Senate Standing Committee on Interior approved several amendments to criminal law, including a proposal for the death penalty for those committing acid attacks. The initiative aims to bolster the protection of vulnerable communities and enhance public safety measures.
Key Legislative Changes Approved
The committee, under the leadership of Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, reviewed and passed multiple private members’ bills. These included legislation on acid crimes, safeguarding domestic workers, the safe handling of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), anti-rape measures, and consumer rights.
Despite opposition from State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, the amendments were supported by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmakers. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, introduced by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir, was passed even in his absence. This bill seeks to amend Section 336B of the Pakistan Penal Code to address harm caused by corrosive substances, citing a recent acid attack incident in Quetta as a driving factor.
Details of the Proposed Amendments
The proposed legislation suggests imposing severe penalties, including death or life imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs2 million, to act as a deterrent against acid attacks. The committee also passed a bill by Senator Sarmad Ali to criminalize the exploitation of domestic workers, emphasizing the vulnerabilities they face, such as physical abuse, sexual harassment, and forced labor.
The bill outlines penalties that could include up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines up to Rs500,000 if severe injury or death occurs. Employers are held accountable for abuses committed by household members unless preventive measures were taken.
Enhancing Public Safety and Consumer Protection
Senator Shahadat Awan introduced another amendment targeting the unauthorized transfer of LPG into smaller cylinders, a practice posing significant risks in residential areas. The penalties for such actions have been increased to up to five years of imprisonment and fines reaching Rs500,000.
In response to reports of hospitals detaining bodies over unpaid bills, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri proposed a new section in the criminal code. This section aims to penalize the wrongful detention of bodies, with imprisonment and fines as consequences for violations.
Additional Legislative Initiatives
The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, aiming to fortify the legal response to rape, was also endorsed, highlighting the need for governmental backing. Additionally, the Islamabad Consumers Protection (Amendment) Bill seeks to regulate fees and billing in private healthcare, demanding transparency in charges and emergency care procedures.
The committee expressed concerns over new requirements for official passports for former parliamentarians, insisting on adherence to existing laws for five-year validity. An ongoing issue discussed was the unregulated use of social media by minors, with proposals under consideration to regulate children’s online activities.
Recent Acid Attack Incidents
Highlighting the urgency of these legislative changes, recent acid attacks have been reported, including a case in Karachi where a woman was severely injured. Another incident involved a woman in Quetta, which resulted in the attacker’s death during a police encounter. The Supreme Court has previously described acid attacks as more egregious than homicide, emphasizing the lifelong impact on victims.
