Sindh records 22% rape convictions, followed by Balochistan at 12% and KP 6%
ISLAMABAD:
The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights on Thursday reviewed the number of convictions in human rights-related cases across provinces, along with broader concerns over justice, security and gender inequality in Pakistan.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Samina Zehri, was briefed by the Human Rights Secretary on the conviction rate, which stood at 4 percent in 2020, with officials claiming an improvement since 2021.
Provincial data on the number of convictions for rape was also presented. Sindh recorded a conviction rate of 22 percent, followed by Balochistan at 12 percent, Islamabad at 6.9 percent and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at 6 percent. Punjab reported the lowest conviction rate at 4 per cent.
During the session, lawmakers raised concerns about delays in justice and inefficiencies in the justice system. Senator Khalil Tahir questioned why justice cannot be delivered within 24 hours if crimes can be committed within that time frame.
“Humanity is dead. We only discuss such matters in drawing rooms and then move on,” said the committee chairman. “In Punjab, a bus conductor raped a woman.”
Senator Abid Sher Ali said that if a citizen hits a Pera Force official, the Anti-Terrorism Act is invoked.
“But when a common man is fired with 160 bullets, Section 7ATA does not apply,” he added.
The Punjab Attorney General said in cases involving attacks on uniformed forces, such provisions are applied.
Abid Sher Ali said in such cases even courts commit injustice by granting bail. “In our society, the powerful class gets its way.”
The committee also discussed the Jaranwala incident where attacks on the Christian community and churches were condemned.
Lawmakers stressed the need to counter religious extremism. Abid Sher Ali called for an end to “religious extremism”.
Senator Aimal Wali Khan criticized the police system and stated that law enforcement had been deeply compromised.
“If a judge is corrupt, accepting bribes or money, we will speak against him. If anyone has the guts, they can summon us for contempt of court,” he said.
Briefing the committee on gender gap indicators, the Human Rights Secretary stated that Pakistan ranked last among 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index. He noted that 26 million children remain out of school in the country, with particularly high dropout rates among girls after primary education.
He further highlighted that women’s participation in the public service had improved to about 44-47 percent in recent years, while representation in the federal cabinet remains limited. He also noted legislative moves requiring at least one female member on company boards.
