CII expresses reservation over Zainab Alert Bill

Council disagrees with using Zainab's name in the bill, says the name is likely to cause trauma to the family

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Thursday expressed reservation over the Zainab Alert Bill, after the National Assembly passed the bill, a day earlier.

The Zainab Alert Recovery and Response Bill (ZARR) 2020, sentences life imprisonment with a penalty of Rs1 million as maximum and a sentence of 10 years as the minimum punishment to child perpetrators.

During a two-day meeting pertaining to sexual violence against children, the CII said the Zainab Alert Bill was welcomed and added that the death penalty in the legislation should be maintained.

The council, however, disagreed with using Zainab's name in the legislation, adding that the name is likely to cause trauma to the family forever.

The council said special courts, police stations and special cells should be established to prevent sexual abuse.

In addition, the council said a high-level committee for the academic audit of General Pervez Musharraf's proposed policies should be established.

After Senate, National Assembly passes Zainab Alert Bill

The CII also noted the increase in harassment cases in educational institutions.

In January 2018, eight-year-old Zainab was raped and murdered in Punjab’s Kasur city which sparked outrage across the country and raised questions over the security of children.

ZARRA will be headed by prime minister’s appointed director-general who will practice his duties according to the prescribed rules and regulations.

Under the passed bill, all cases involving the kidnapping, rape and murder of minor children will be required to complete investigations within three months.

The bill will raise required alerts and will initiate the responses required for recovery of missing, abducted, abused or kidnapped children in entire country.

It will also help to provide speedy system for alerts, responses, recoveries, investigations, trails and rehabilitation to prevent and curb criminal activities against children.