LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly Women's Caucus has
presented a bill and a resolution on the increasing number of
acid-throwing cases in the province.
Azma Bukhari,
convener of the caucus, told Dawn the Acid and Burn Crime Bill differed
from existing acid throwing laws in that it demanded the punishment for
acid throwing be a death sentence or life imprisonment. The bill is
expected to find its way to the standing committee concerned and be
passed without any hurdles.
The resolution termed acid throwing
and burning an act of terrorism against the state and that it should be
tried in anti-terrorist courts.
"We have had enough of these
cases being taken lightly, especially when the plight of the woman who
has been burnt is more or less ignored, and the elders or family members
sit together and reach a reconciliation where the matter is
suppressed," said Bukhari. "We will not stand for this reconciliation or
any para-judicial systems that allow for such atrocities against
women."
Bukhari said the law minister had also given his
unofficial approval for the bill and said it was expected to be passed
soon hopefully, perhaps by the coming week.
The core committee has unanimously agreed upon the resolution.
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