PESHAWAR: Special cells will be set up at district hospitals across the province to provide medico-legal services to rape victims.

This was decided during a meeting of the Anti-Rape Special Committee held here on Wednesday. MNA Barrister Malika Bukhari, the committee’s chairperson, presided over the meeting.

Chairperson Women Parliamentary Caucus Dr Sumaira Shams, provincial minister for higher education Kamran Bangash, secretary home Khushhal Khan and representatives of different departments were in attendance.

Ms Bukhari said the KP government and its relevant departments would establish strong coordination with the federation for implementing the anti-rape laws in letter and spirit.

She said the prosecution department and the police would share data and other information with the Federal Special Anti-Rape Committee.

Mr Bangash said the cells would be set up within four weeks and in three phases. In the first phase, cells would be established in the districts where rape cases were reportedly high.

Similarly, male and female medico-legal officers and prosecutors would be appointed at the anti-rape cells while special trainings would be arranged for both the officials to pursue the cases properly.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2022