ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the Acid and Fire Attack Prevention Bill 2024, prescribing the death penalty or up to seven years’ imprisonment for perpetrators, and up to two years’ jail or a fine for police officers found guilty of faulty investigation.
The bill, moved by PPP lawmaker Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto, seeks to prevent acid and burn attacks, ensure swift justice and provide rehabilitation to victims. It mandates that relevant courts conclude all such cases within 60 days.
Key provisions include free medical treatment for victims in government hospitals, the establishment of rehabilitation centres and the provision of free legal aid.
An acid and burn crime monitoring board will be set up with at least 33% female representation.
Moreover, the legislation requires special protection measures for victims and witnesses, and stipulates financial assistance for children and dependents of victims until they become self-reliant.
Walkout over Imran’s prison meetings
Earlier in the day, the session, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, was marked by an opposition walkout over the denial of meetings between the imprisoned PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and five MNAs waiting outside Adiala Jail.
PTI’s Asad Qaiser claimed that the move was a breach of members’ privilege.
The speaker urged both sides to hold talks, offering himself as a bridge between the government and opposition. “There is no grander jirga than the National Assembly and Senate. I am ready to play the role of a bridge,” he said.
He proposed a negotiating team from the government comprising Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Talal Chaudhry and Syed Naveed Qamar, while urging the opposition to name its representatives. Tarar said the prison meeting issue was procedural but could be resolved through dialogue. PTI’s Malik Amir Dogar agreed to consult his party before finalising names.
Despite repeated requests from the speaker not to stage a walkout, opposition lawmakers left the chamber, returning shortly afterwards to declare it a symbolic protest. They then pointed out the quorum, which was found to be complete.
Five bills passed, one sent back
The House passed five bills: the Lawyers and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill 2025, the National Institute of Health (Reorganisation) Amendment Bill 2025, the Acid and Fire Attack Prevention Bill 2024, the Allocation of Reserved University Seats Bill 2024 and the Zakat and Ushr (Amendment) Bill 2025.
It also initially passed the Journalists’ Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, but on the intervention of Law Minister Tarar, the approval was withdrawn, and the bill was referred back to the relevant standing committee for further consideration.
The session was adjourned until 11 am Wednesday.
