March 17, 2007	Saturday	Safar 27, 1428

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GUJRANWALA, March 16: Punjab Inspector General of Police Ahmad Nasim has ordered his department to stop the registration of cases under the Hudood Ordinance of 1979 and in the future such cases should be registered under the Women’s Protection Bill.

In a circular sent to all regional police officers, city police officers and district police officers across the province on Friday, he said the women’s bill had been enforced from December 2, 2006.

He said that accused involved in the abduction of a woman should be booked under section 365-A, 371-B, 371-A and 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code which carry maximum death or life term.

In a case of assaulting a woman, accused will be booked under section 376, 375 and 374 of the PPC which carry 10 years to 25 years imprisonment.

If a woman is raped showing bogus nikah, the accused should be tried under section 493-A, a non-bailable offence. Accused involved in adultery should be book under section 496-B that carries five to seven years jail sentence.

ZILE HUMA CASE: An anti-terrorism court will resume the hearing of the Zile Huma murder case from Saturday. The court adjourned the case on Thursday due to the boycott of lawyers. The court has recorded the statements of prosecution witnesses, including complainant of the case and police officials. Accused Muhammad Sarwar was produced in the court amid tight security.