KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday expressed resentment over the federal and provincial authorities for not filing comments in a petition seeking implementation of the anti-rape law and gave them last chance to file replies within 15 days.

A two-judge bench headed by acting Chief Justice Irfan Saadat Khan noted that despite granting several opportunities, the secretaries of ministry of interior and law & justice, principal secretary to the prime minister, secretary of law department of Sindh and inspector general of police had not filed their comments.

The SHC was hearing a petition filed last year seeking the implementation of the Anti-Rape (Trial and Investigation) Act, 2021 including establishment of anti-rape crisis cells, special investigation units, allocation of funds to provide legal help to victims, protection for witnesses and appointment of special prosecutors to plead such cases.

The bench in its order said, “In spite of several opportunities, the respondents No.2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 have not filed their comments. They are given final chance of fifteen days to file comments, otherwise they would be called in person to explain the position”.

Earlier, the National Database and Registration Authority had informed the SHC that any viable mechanism for a database of sex offenders as required under the anti-rape law may only be set up after approval of the federal government and ministry of interior as well as formulation of rules & regulations to ensure security protocols.

At a previous hearing, the office of prosecutor general of Sindh had also informed the SHC that 999 cases of sexual violence/rape were decided from Jan 2021 to July 2023 in Sindh and the overall conviction rate stood at only around 12 per cent.

The petitioner had submitted that the anti-rape law had provided for establishment of anti-rape crises cells at every public hospital of the district, legal assistance to victims, speedy trial proceedings and a witness protection programme, which were yet to be implemented by the provincial government.

He said that although cases of rape and violence against women were growing in the province, no action had been taken to enforce the law.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2023