Key Takeaways
- Senate Standing Committee on Interior passed a bill proposing death penalty for acid attack perpetrators.
- The committee also approved a bill to criminalize abuse of domestic workers, increasing penalties for such offenses.
- Amendments to laws related to LPG safety were also passed to address public safety hazards.
The Senate Standing Committee on Interior has passed a series of key criminal law amendments, including a bill proposing the death penalty for acid attack perpetrators, as part of efforts to strengthen protections for vulnerable groups and public safety.
The bill, moved by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir, seeks to amend Section 336B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and was passed in the absence of the mover. It cites the recent incident of an acid attack on a lady doctor in Quetta, highlighting the ongoing issue despite a 2011 amendment.
The proposed punishment includes death or imprisonment for life or a minimum of 14 years, along with a fine of Rs2 million, aimed at serving as a strong deterrent against such attacks.
The committee also unanimously passed a bill proposed by Senator Sarmad Ali to criminalize the abuse of domestic workers, noting that they constitute one of the most vulnerable segments of society, often subjected to physical violence, sexual abuse, and forced labour.
The bill covers physical violence, sexual harassment, threats, forced labour, wage theft, confiscation of identity documents, denial of food or medical care, and humiliating treatment. Penalties include imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs100,000, with life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs500,000 for serious injuries or death.
Employers are made liable if abuse is committed by household members, unless they took reasonable steps to prevent such abuse. The bill also makes the offence non-bailable and triable by a court of session.
In a move to address public safety hazards, the committee passed an amendment to Sections 286 and 286A of the PPC, criminalizing the unauthorized transfer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) into smaller cylinders. The bill increases the punishment for such decanting, noting its widespread practice in residential areas and roadside setups.
The amendment increases the punishment under Section 286 from six months to two years and the fine from Rs1,000 to Rs100,000. Under Section 286A, imprisonment is increased from two to five years and the fine from Rs10,000 to Rs500,000.
State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry opposed the bills, but PPP lawmakers voted in favour. The bills were passed despite his opposition.
