Inactivity of commission on domestic violence irks court

Asks AG Sindh to furnish details of funds and commission by Oct 18

LAHORE:

A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court headed by Acting Chief Justice SHC, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan heard the petition regarding non-implementation of the Sindh Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Bill and sought details about the funds and inactivity of commission, established for the prevention of domestic violence.

Petitioner Khush Bakht Shah said that the law was made in 2013 but has not yet been implemented. No officers have been appointed nor have protection committees been formed.

The Acting Chief Justice asked the petitioner why the committees were not formed. The petitioner replied that since the government does not have the funds, they also wrote in their reply.

The court expressed its displeasure over the inactivity of the commission established for the prevention of domestic violence. The Acting Chief Justice said in a dialogue with the Advocate General Sindh that when there are no funds, from where do the employees of the commission get their salaries? Advocate General stated that the funds are available, give me time, I will inform the court.

The court asked the Advocate General whether he had written a letter to the Secretary Finance regarding the funds.

The Acting Chief Justice remarked that if there are no funds, why has the staff been appointed? If not working, send the staff to other departments. If the commission does not work to prevent violence, then why are they receiving salary? The court directed the Advocate General to inform us why there are no funds.

The petitioner said that the government has not done anything to protect women victims of domestic violence. The court remarked that they will take action according to the law on the response of the Sindh government.

The court adjourned the hearing till October 18 seeking funds and other details of the commission.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2023.