Pakistan ’s Domestic Violence Bill lapses

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan National Assembly’s unanimously passed bill against domestic violence to protect women, children and families vulnerable to crimes at home has not become a law, as the Government has seemingly lost sight of it.

Earlier on August 4, the National Assembly had passed the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, which was aimed at fighting the curse through quick criminal trials and a chain of protection committees and protection officers.

To make it a law the Government was required to get the bill passed through the upper house within 90 days of its receipt.

However, when the bill was sent to the Senate, Mohammad Khan Sheerani, of the JUI-F, raised some objections, leading to a deferment of hearing, and then the Government slept on the matter and now the bill has lapsed,” The Dawn reported.

Now, the Government will have to get the bill passed again from both the houses, but only after the approval of yet-to-be-constituted mediation committee comprising members of both the houses.

Under the bill, repeat offenders of the crimes can be jailed for a year and fined Rs. 200,000. And if a woman registers a false case or if it is proved wrong in court, the complainant can be jailed for six months and fined Rs. 50,000. (ANI)