President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday gave assent to two landmark bills that seek to provide enhanced punishment to several offences against women. The first bill that was assented is called The Bill called Criminal Law (Third Amendment) Bill 2011, which was passed by the National Assembly on November 15, 2011 and by Senate on December 12, 2011.
Spokesperson to President, Farhatullah Babar said that President signed the Bills to coincide with the national day for working women to highlight the Government's commitment to protect women against abuse by raising the bar for crimes against them. The president, while signing the Bill said that in line with the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Banazir Bhutto, the present democratic government will continue to empower women and the signing of the Bill into an Act was a manifestation of the policy. He said that the signing of the new law was an auspicious occasion as December 22 marked the national day for working women.
The Bill signed into law seeks to punish offences against women, namely, giving them in marriage in badal-e-sulah, wanni or swara, depriving them from inheritance, forced marriage and marriage with Holy Quran. According to Section 310A, "Whoever gives a female in marriage or otherwise compels her to enter into marriage, as badal-e-sulah, wanni, or swara or any other custom or practice under any name, in consideration of settling a civil dispute or a criminal liability, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term, which may extend to seven years, but shall not be less than three years and shall also be liable to fine of five hundred thousand rupees."
A new chapter XXA containing three clauses has also been inserted in the code seeking to prohibit three offences against women. The offences punishable with various terms of imprisonment and fine include depriving women of inheriting property, forced marriage and marriage with the Holy Quran.-PR