ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior has approved a series of proposed criminal law amendments aimed at strengthening public safety and protecting vulnerable sections of society, including legislation proposing the death penalty for acid attacks.
The committee, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, considered several private members’ bills covering acid crimes, domestic worker abuse, LPG safety, rape legislation, wrongful detention of dead bodies and consumer protection.
The measures were approved despite opposition from State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, while Pakistan Peoples Party lawmakers also supported the proposals.
One of the most important proposals seeks to amend Section 336B of the Pakistan Penal Code concerning injuries caused by corrosive substances.
The bill, moved by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir, proposes death, life imprisonment or imprisonment of at least 14 years, along with a fine of Rs2 million, for those convicted of acid attacks.
The proposal comes amid continued concerns over acid violence and follows several recent incidents. The committee noted that despite legal amendments introduced in 2011, acid attacks continue to leave victims with permanent physical and psychological injuries.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish stronger punishment as a deterrent against such crimes.
New Protection for Domestic Workers
The committee also unanimously approved a bill seeking to criminalise the abuse of domestic workers.
The proposed law would cover physical violence, sexual harassment, threats, forced labour, wage theft, confiscation of identity documents, denial of food or medical treatment and humiliating treatment.
An offender could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs100,000. Where abuse results in serious injury or death, the proposed punishment could extend to life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs500,000.
The bill would also hold employers responsible for abuse committed by household members unless they can demonstrate that reasonable measures were taken to prevent it.
The committee approved another amendment targeting the unauthorised transfer of LPG from larger cylinders into smaller domestic cylinders.
The proposed amendments would increase penalties under Sections 286 and 286A of the PPC. Punishment under Section 286 would rise from six months to two years, while the fine would increase from Rs1,000 to Rs100,000.
Under Section 286A, imprisonment would increase from two to five years, with the fine rising from Rs10,000 to Rs500,000.
The committee noted that unauthorised LPG decanting in residential areas, workshops and roadside locations poses serious risks to lives and property.
The bill, moved by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, proposes imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of Rs500,000 for a first offence. A second offence, or detention lasting more than 24 hours, could attract up to three years in prison and a fine of up to Rs1 million.
The committee also approved amendments to anti-rape legislation and the Islamabad Consumers Protection Act.
The proposed consumer law would bring private healthcare providers under the 1995 Act and address issues including undisclosed charges, non-itemised bills and demands for advance payments before emergency treatment.
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Meanwhile, the committee raised concerns over official passports for former parliamentarians and the regulation of social media use by minors.
