Joint review committee to be formed for comprehensive legislation focused on acid regulation and victim protection
Balochistan Assembly. PHOTO: EXPRESS
QUETTA:
The Women’s Parliamentary Group (WPC) on Monday decided to expedite legislation to prevent acid attacks in Balochistan and ensure justice and rehabilitation for the victims.
The development came after Dr Mahnoor was seriously injured when an assailant allegedly threw acid at her while she was on duty in the surgical ward of Sandeman Civil Hospital in Quetta last week. The suspect fled, but was later killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.
A caucus meeting, chaired by Ghazala Gola, Deputy Speaker Balochistan Assembly and WPC Chairman, was held in the committee hall of the Provincial Assembly today. The session focused on measures to combat acid violence, strengthen relevant laws and support those affected.
Participants included WPC members Raheela Hamid Khan Durrani, Shahida Rauf, Farah Azeem Shah, Kulsoom Niaz, Salma Kakar and Shahnaz Umrani; Justice (retd) Kailash Nath Kohli; representatives of the Ministries of the Interior and Law; officials from UN Women; and Balochistan Assembly Special Secretary Abdul Rehman.
During the meeting, Justice (retd) Kailash Nath Kohli provided a detailed briefing on the existing legal framework in Pakistan regarding acid attacks and related crimes. He also informed participants of a proposed provincial law drafted in 2016.
Representatives of the Interior Ministry presented official statistics, revealing that seven cases of acid throwing had been recorded in Balochistan since 2021, with five cases resolved in 2022.
After extensive deliberations, participants unanimously agreed to form a joint review committee. The committee will review the existing bill and incorporate stronger provisions related to regulation of sale and use of acid, protection and rehabilitation of victims, compensation mechanisms and effective institutional responses.
The meeting members also recommended that the next consultative session invite representatives from the ministries of Industry, Health, Prosecution, Women Development, Law, senior lawyers, Ministry of Interior and Police to offer their input to make the bill stronger.
Learn more: Quetta acid attack victim, Dr Mahnoor stable, eyesight intact after treatment at AKUH
The participants further decided to review the composition of the council to be established under the proposed bill, ensuring representation of the Women’s Parliamentary Group and other relevant stakeholders.
It was also suggested that members of the relevant Standing Committee on Home Affairs be involved in future consultations in order to achieve broader consensus and improve coordination.
Participants emphasized that a comprehensive and robust provincial law was essential to effectively prevent acid attacks, regulate the sale and use of acid and other dangerous chemicals, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide meaningful support and rehabilitation to survivors.
Concluding the session, President Ghazala reaffirmed the WPC’s commitment to continue its efforts for the enactment of laws that protect vulnerable segments of society, promote justice and ensure strong safeguards against all forms of violence in Balochistan.
The injured doctor was a postgraduate trainee. She received initial medical treatment and was then taken to Karachi by a special air ambulance to ensure access to advanced medical treatment. According to doctors, around 35% of his face and body had burns.
The incident sparked a strong backlash from the Young Doctors Association (YDA), which called the attack a serious security breach.
Learn more: Suspect killed in altercation after acid attack on female doctor in Quetta
The association claimed that the suspect worked as a private elevator operator at the hospital and that the attack was carried out with the intention of killing the doctor.
YDA leaders demanded the immediate transfer of the Health Secretary and the Medical Director of the Civil Hospital, calling for a transparent judicial inquiry into the incident.
The association criticized the government for what it called inadequate safety measures at public hospitals and announced a strike in response to the incident.
“This attack reflects a complete failure of security arrangements in hospitals,” the association said, urging authorities to determine responsibility and ensure accountability.
