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.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...