Bill to criminalise domestic violence moved in Senate

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman on Monday tabled the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2020, in the upper house of parliament, aimed at criminalising domestic violence and penalising the offenders.

Under the statement of objectives and reasons of the bill, the senator stated that domestic violence constituted a serious offence to woman and vulnerable communities of Pakistan. In its prevalence and scale, she added, domestic violence remained one of the grave injustices to women in private spaces.

Through the bill, she said, the act of domestic violence would be criminalised with penalties prescribed for offenders. Moreover, she added, the bill would bring domestic violence into the public domain and respond to the urgent need for giving women the rights guaranteed in Article 25 of the Constitution.

The bill, which was referred to the relevant standing committee for further consideration, gives court the discretion to order monetary relief to the aggrieved and ensures safe shelter for the victim. Based on a zero-tolerance policy to violence against women, this bill provides relief to the aggrieved.

Meanwhile, the Senate passed a resolution lauding the selfless and relentless struggle and sacrifices of Kashmiri leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, for the right to self-determination for the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).

The resolution recognised Geelani’s unwavering commitment, dedication, perseverance and leadership while acknowledging his role in exposing Indian atrocities, suppressive measures and human rights violations in IOJ&K.
It showed concern that Geelani continued to remain under unjustified house arrest amid his frail health at the age of 90 years. Through the resolution, the house called upon the government to name the proposed “Pakistan University of Engineering and Emerging Technologies” near the Prime Minister House in Islamabad as “Syed Ali Shah Geelani University of Engineering and Emerging Technologies”.

The house sought conferment of the highest civil award “Nishan-e-Pakistan” on Geelani for his life-long services and sacrifices for the just and fair settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of UN resolutions, and the right to self-determination duly recognised by the international law.

The resolution also urged the government to include the life and struggle of Geelani in the educational curriculum at federal and provincial levels and mobilise the world conscience to help Geelani get the best available medical treatment at a place of his choosing.