‘Special courts should deal harassment cases’

Governor decides to launch awareness drive on women harassment

LAHORE:

Following a surge in women harassment cases, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar has decided to launch an awareness drive at universities across the province and suggested that special courts should be established to deal with such cases.

The governor made this announcement after a meeting with a delegation of the Women Peace Council (WPC) led by Punjab Assembly member Uzma Kardar at the Governor House on Thursday. Sarwar sought recommendations from universities’ vice-chancellors, in a week, to make this campaign more effective.

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Sarwar said, “These shameful incidents have become even more dangerous than cancer."

“To stop such incidents, there is a need to expedite the justice system. The courts must announce their verdict within six months. There must be special judges for such cases,” he remarked.

The governor said he will also take up this issue with the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court and underlined that the role of women in the progress of Pakistan was highly appreciated. “We will not compromise on women's safety. The criminals involved in violence against women deserve no leniency and will be dealt with iron hands.”

He said in order to stop all such incidents against women a special campaign would be launched after taking recommendations from the VCs.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2021.