Senate panel passes bill proposing death penalty for perpetrators of acid attacks

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Monday passed a series of key criminal law amendments, including a bill proposing the death penalty for acid attacks, as it moved to strengthen protections for vulnerable groups and public safety. Chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, the committee considered private members’ bills relating to acid crimes, protection of domestic workers, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) safety, anti-rape legislation and consumer protection.

The bills were passed despite opposition from State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, with PPP lawmakers also voting in favour. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill moved by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir, seeking to amend Section 336B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) relating to hurt caused by corrosive substances, was passed in the absence of the mover. Citing “the recent incident of acid attack on a lady doctor in Quetta”, the bill states that despite the 2011 amendment, acid attacks continue to cause lifelong disfigurement and trauma. It proposes the punishment of “death or imprisonment for life or imprisonment of not less than 14 years and a fine of Rs2 million” to serve as a strong deterrent. The…