Islamabad:
The National Assembly on Tuesday adopted the acid and fire attack prevention proposal 2024, prescribed the death penalty or up to seven years in prison for perpetrators and up to two years in prison or a fine for police officers found guilty in defective investigation.
The bill, which has been moved by PPP legislator Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto, seeks to prevent acid and combustion attacks, ensure rapid justice and give victims rehabilitation. It requires relevant courts to finish all such cases within 60 days.
The most important provisions include free medical treatment for victims of government hospitals, the establishment of rehabilitation centers and the supply of free legal aid.
An acid and combustion crime monitoring board will be established with at least 33% female representation.
In addition, the legislation requires special protection measures for victims and witnesses and establishes financial assistance to children and relatives of victims until they become self -reliant.
Walkout over Imran’s prison meetings
Earlier in the day, the session, President of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, was characterized by an opposition walkout over the denial of meetings between the imprisoned PTI foundation chairman Imran Khan and five MNAs waiting outside Adiala Prison.
Ptis Asad Qaiser claimed that the move was a breach of members’ privilege.
The speaker encouraged both sides to hold conversations and offer himself as a bridge between the government and the opposition. “There is no bigger Jirga than the National Assembly and the Senate. I’m ready to play the role of a bridge,” he said.
He proposed a negotiating team from the government consisting of Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Talal Chaudhry and Syed Naveed Qamar while calling on the resistance to name his representatives. Tarar said that the prison meeting was procedural but could be resolved through dialogue. Ptis Malik Amir Dogar agreed to consult his party before finishing names.
Despite repeated requests from the speaker not to arrange a walkout, left opposition legislators and returned shortly after to declare it a symbolic protest. They then pointed out the quorum, which was found to be complete.
Five bills adopted, one sent back
The house adopted five bills: Attorneys and bar councils (amendments) Bill 2025, National Institute of Health (Reorganization) Amendments 2025, Acid and Fire Attack Prevention Bill 2024, the award of reserved university seats Bill 2024 and Zakat and Ushr (change) Bill 2025.
It also initially adopted the protection of the journalists (amendments) 2025, but by the intervention of the Minister of Lawyer Tarar, the approval was withdrawn and the bill was referred to the relevant standing committee for further treatment.
The session was postponed until 1 p.m. 11 Wednesday.
