New Bill
ISLAMABAD: A Senate subcommittee in Pakistan has approved a bill proposing stricter punishments for rape, including a minimum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment, a fine of Rs1 million, or the death penalty. This legislative initiative aims to create stronger deterrents against sexual violence and provide justice to victims.
The Senate Standing Committee on Interior’s subcommittee, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, reviewed the proposed amendments during a meeting held on Tuesday at Parliament House.
The bill, introduced by Senator Mohsin Aziz, suggests significant changes to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to increase penalties for rape and ensure harsher consequences for offenders.
One of the key provisions proposed by Senator Aziz includes life imprisonment for convicted rapists, defined as imprisonment lasting until the convict’s last breath. The senator emphasized the need for unyielding measures to address the rising incidents of sexual violence in the country.
Despite the strong backing by some members, the proposed legislation faced opposition from the Islamabad Capital Territory and the Sindh government.
Sindh authorities reportedly dismissed the proposed punishments as “absurd,” raising questions about their feasibility and alignment with current judicial practices.
Senator Zehri, however, expressed firm support for the amendments, stressing the importance of setting a strong precedent for those who commit such heinous crimes.
She highlighted concerns about the misuse of law enforcement, where individuals are sometimes jailed for financial motives while actual criminals evade justice.
The session also included a briefing by the Special Secretary for the Interior, who highlighted the challenges surrounding the implementation of the death penalty for rape.
Although existing laws already include provisions for capital punishment, international agreements and obligations, such as those linked to Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) status, have complicated enforcement.
The proposed amendments reflect a push to strengthen the legal framework against sexual violence in Pakistan, sparking a broader debate on balancing domestic justice reforms with international commitments.
