The National Assembly Tuesday unanimously passed 'The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill, 2010' targeted to curbing the crime of throwing acid on women. The Bill was tabled in the Lower House of the Parliament on a private members day by MNA Marvi Memon of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) in a bid to prevent growing incidents of violence against women. No member opposed it and the House unanimously passed the Bill.
The National Assembly standing committee on Women Development had already approved this Bill with certain amendments in the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1908. When the standing committee received the Bill, it discussed and omitted Clauses 5-9 in the bill that referred to Poison Act.
According to clause three of the Bill," Insertion of new section 336B Punishment for hurt by corrosive substance: Whoever causes hurt by corrosive substance shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description which shall not be less than 14 years and a minimum fine of one million rupees".
According to clause one of the Bill, Short tile and commencement: "This Act may be called the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2011". The statement of objects and rationale of the Bill noted that "the crime of throwing acid on women is becoming more common day-by-day. The main cause of it is the absence of proper legislation on this subject. Therefore, criminal minded people are constantly using it as a dangerous and devastating arm against women. In view of these circumstances, there has been an increasing need to make comprehensive legislation in this regard".
After unanimous passage of the Bill, Marvi Memon thanked the entire parliament particularly women legislators. She said that the Bill would help control acid crimes against women. Marvi also urged the members to create awareness among the people about the bill and help implement the law in their respective areas in its letter and in sprit.
Bushra Gohar, who is also Chairperson of National Assembly Standing Committee Women Development, congratulated all women of the country on the passage of the bill. She said that the National Assembly performed its responsibility by passing the bill. "Now I hope that the Upper House of parliament would also pass the bill unanimously," She said. Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said that there is need to create awareness among the women about this law. She said that the police departments should be well-versed about this law. Ms Anusha Rahman Khan Advocate, Fauzia Ejaz, Fauzia Wahab and other women parliamentarians appreciated the role of the House in the legislation. They said that after becoming law, women would feel more secure and it would help control incidents of acid crimes against women.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.