ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani has sought explanation from the government in the coming Senate session for a delay in issuance of a notification for the formation of the National Commission on the Rights of Child, despite the fact that the parliament has already enacted a law for protection of child rights and provided for formation of the commission for the purpose.

In the wake of an unfortunate incident of the rape and murder of young girl in Kasur, some reports suggested that no appropriate legislation for children was available.

The Senate had taken a notice of another Kasur incident in 2015, in which at least 280 children were filmed being sexually abused and their parents blackmailed over the footage, with the Senate chairman referring the matter to the committee on human rights to propose an appropriate law to curb the crime.

The committee, in consultation with the government, put forward a Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, which, after the passage by both houses of parliament and approval by the president, became an Act of Parliament on March 22, 2016. In the light of this, new sections 292 A, 292 B and 292 C, 328 A, 369 A, 377 A and 377 B were incorporated into the Pakistan Panel Code, 1860, making child pornography and exposure to seduction a punishable crime.

The amendment to the penal code also increased the age of criminal responsibility from seven to 10 years of age.

Under the revised legislation, sexual assaults are now punishable by up to seven years in prison. Previously, only rape was considered to be a crime. Likewise, child pornography, which was previously not mentioned in the law, will be punishable by seven years in prison and a fine of Rs700,000.

Similarly, a law was passed by the parliament to provide for constitution of a National Commission on the rights of child and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, which received presidential assent on Oct 20, 2017. Among other functions, the commission is mandated to examine and review any law or policy or practice, for the time being in force, for protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation; inquire into violation of child rights and recommend to the relevant agency or department the initiation of proceedings in such cases; spread awareness and promote dialogue on child rights among various sections of society and promote awareness of safeguards available for protection of these rights. The commission is yet to be notified by the government; delay in its notification is worrisome for which the response will be sought during the coming session of Senate.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2018