Balochistan women lawmakers move to fast-track acid attack prevention law

QUETTA: The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of the Balochistan Assembly has stepped up efforts to accelerate legislation aimed at preventing acid attacks on women and improving support mechanisms for survivors.

A meeting of the caucus was held in the Assembly’s committee room under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker and caucus chairperson Ghazala Gola. Participants included caucus members Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, Shahida Rauf, Farah Azeem Shah, Kulsoom Niaz, Salma Kakar and Shehnaz Umrani, along with retired Justice Kailash Nath Kohli, representatives of the Home and Law Departments, UN Women, and Assembly Special Secretary Abdul Rahman.

During the session, Justice Kohli briefed participants on the existing legal framework in Pakistan dealing with acid-related offences and referred to a draft provincial law prepared in 2016. The Home Department also shared official data showing that seven acid attack cases have been registered in Balochistan since 2021, including five that were resolved in 2022.

Joint review committee proposed

After detailed discussions, participants agreed to establish a joint review committee to examine the draft law and add provisions covering regulation of acid, protection of victims, rehabilitation, compensation and institutional response arrangements.

The meeting also recommended that future consultations be widened to include representatives from the industries, health, prosecution, women development and police departments, as well as senior lawyers, in an effort to strengthen the legislative process. Participants further proposed reviewing the composition of the board to be created under the proposed legislation so that the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and other stakeholders are represented in it.

Members also underlined the need to involve the Assembly’s Home Committee to help build broader consensus and improve coordination. The participants stressed the urgency of enacting a comprehensive provincial law to curb acid violence, regulate the sale of hazardous chemicals, ensure effective prosecution of offenders, and provide stronger support and rehabilitation services for survivors.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Ghazala Gola reiterated the caucus’s commitment to pursuing legislation aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, advancing justice and putting in place stronger safeguards against violence in Balochistan.