Sindh Assembly passes domestic violence bill

Sindh Assembly passes resolution on women's day.

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2013 on Friday.

The bill focused on preventing domestic violence on women, children and any vulnerable person. The bill was ordered to be enforced at once and extended to the whole province of Sindh.

The bill had been presented by Sindh law minister Muhammad Ayaz Soomro and supported by both treasury and opposition members.

According to the bill, domestic violence included but was not limited to all acts of gender-based and other physical or psychological abuse committed by a respondent against women, children or other vulnerable persons, with whom the respondent is or has been in a domestic relationship.

Tenancy amendment bill

The house also adopted the Sindh Laws (second amendment) Bill, 2012, while it introduced The Sindh Tenancy (Amendment) Bill 2013, whose consideration was deferred till Monday, March 11, 2013.

The introduction of the Sindh Finance (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the consideration of the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Resources Research and Development Board were also deferred till Monday.

Women's day resolution

The house also unanimously passed two resolutions on the occasion of International Women's Day.

A resolution moved by Heer Soho and other MPAs said: This assembly is proud to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the International Women's Day on March 8, 2013. And this day, celebrated to honor the backbone of every society – its women – pays tribute to the dynamic women of Pakistan, who strive passionately for the betterment of the country and its future, despite numerous substantial impediments, be they ethnic, cultural, social linguistic, and education.

Another resolution moved by Farheen Mughal and other MPAs said the assembly was proud to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the International Women's Day and pays tribute to the dynamic women of Pakistan.

They resolved to further the struggle to establish a just and equitable environment for sustainable development of Pakistan.