Before bail is granted, courts must assess potential risks to the victim, including threats or harm from the accused
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly on Tuesday gave the nod to the Anti-Rape (Amendment) Bill 2026, which declares sexual assault, physical abuse and exploitation of children as non-bailable.
Under the provisions of the Anti-Rape Amendment, law enforcement agencies must ensure that child victims undergo a medical examination by a certified forensic expert within 24 hours.
The law also imposes strict safeguards to protect victims’ dignity, privacy and safety during the process. Forensic evidence collected during investigations will be included in the investigation.
The amendment further states that the courts must not grant bail in such cases except in exceptional circumstances where the best interests of the child must be carefully considered.
Before bail is granted, courts must assess potential risks to the victim, including threats or harm from the accused.
A bill seeking to significantly increase penalties for the sale, display and distribution of obscene material was also introduced in NA, marking a major bill to tighten existing laws under the Pakistan Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.
The proposed legislation, already passed by the Senate, aims to amend Sections 292, 293 and 294, along with Schedule II, to impose stricter penalties for offenses involving obscene books, drawings, paintings, pictures, sculptures and other materials.
Lawmakers said the move is intended to curb the growing proliferation and public display of such content.
Under the proposed changes, the penalty for displaying or selling obscene material will increase from the existing three months to up to two years in prison.
In addition to jail terms, offenders can face fines of up to Rs 200,000. The bill also proposes a two-year prison sentence for people involved in the import, export or transport of obscene objects for commercial purposes.
The legislation further expands the scope of punishment by criminalizing advertisements in connection with the purchase of obscene material. Those found guilty of advertising such content face up to two years in prison along with a fine of Rs 200,000. Special attention is paid to protecting minors.
The bill proposes that selling, renting, distributing or displaying obscene material to persons under the age of 20 will attract a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of Rs 100,000.
Lawmakers described this provision as a necessary safeguard against exposing young people to inappropriate content.
In addition, the bill introduces sanctions for public behavior deemed indecent. Participating in obscene acts, singing obscene songs or using explicit language in public places can result in up to six months in jail and a fine of Rs 100,000.
Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar informed the assembly of the ongoing efforts to address the problem of out-of-school children, estimated at about 26 million nationwide.
She highlighted initiatives such as the “No Child Left Behind” campaign, which includes door-to-door surveys, accelerated learning programs and technical training courses aimed at improving enrollment and retention.
She said the government is also working with institutions such as the National Commission for Human Development to expand access to education, including in underserved and remote areas.
Qamar informed the house that the government encouraged seminaries across the country, including in Balochistan, to register with the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE) to facilitate them through modern educational and technical support programmes.
Responding to an attention notice by MNA Naeema Kishwer Khan regarding issues faced by madrassas in Balochistan, the minister said the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training had set up DGRE to help registered seminaries.
This assistance includes providing teachers with stipends, technical training opportunities and access to modern education along with religious education, she said.
