TAXILA: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam has said that the new anti-rape law will ensure protection to women and children in the country.

He was talking to locals in Punjdher area of Hazro town on Tuesday after visiting the family of a nine-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted and murdered a few days ago. The suspect in the case was later killed during an encounter with the police.

The SAPM said the government was introducing bills for protection of women and children and curb increasing rape cases in the country by awarding exemplary punishment to rapists. He said speedy justice and swift and harsher punishment for convicted rapists and sex offenders would also be ensured by setting up special courts.

He said the new Anti-Rape Investigation and Trial Ordinance 2020 envisages an expansion of the definition of rape, harsher punishments for sex offenders, establishment of special courts and anti-rape crisis cells, additional protection for victims and witnesses as well as the prohibition of the use of two-finger test of rape victims.

He said it was for the first time in the history of the country that the definition of rape had been changed by incorporating ‘transgender’ and ‘gang-rape’ in it.

He expressed the hope that the initiative would significantly reduce the number of rape incidents in the country by creating deterrence against the offence.

He added that the Punjab government was also working on the welfare and protection of women and had introduced two bills in the assembly. He said these bills included Woman Hostels Authority Bill and the Enforcement of Women’s Share in Inherited Property Bill 2021.

Earlier, he expressed condolence and grief with the family over the rape and murder of the minor girl and offered fateha for the soul.

Later, Mr Aslam inaugurated the teshil office of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in Hazro.

Speaking on this occasion, he said the PTI government believes in the philosophy of inclusive growth and social sector development while education and health sector reforms will be instrumental in putting the province of Punjab on the right track of composite economic growth.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2021