LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Monday issued a notice to the attorney general for Pakistan to assist on a matter related to implementation of the Anti-Rape Act 2021.

The chief justice was heading a full bench seized with a bail petition of a rape suspect, Wajid Ali.

Justice Farooq Haider and Justice Ali Zia Bajwa were the other members at the bench.

The chief justice expressed concern that failure to enforce the anti-rape law could lead to the acquittal of accused persons in rape cases. She remarked that the number of rape cases had surpassed murder cases. She emphasised that the lack of enforcement of the Anti-Rape Act 2021 is resulting in the acquittal of accused individuals.

Prosecutor General of Punjab Syed Farhad Ali Shah informed the bench that the rules under the anti-rape law were being implemented. He said under Section 7 of the Act, special prosecutors had been appointed and a separate cell had been established to monitor rape cases on a daily basis.

Failure to enforce law resulting in acquittals: CJ

The bench summoned the provincial secretary for prosecution to appear in person in the next hearing. It also gave relevant institutions a final chance to submit their reports.

The bench sought reports on the trial proceedings involving minor victims in rape cases.

The bench directed the prosecutor general and the advocate general of Punjab to submit reports on meetings and progress regarding the implementation of the anti-rape act.

The bench adjourned the proceedings till submission of the reports by the authorities concerned.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2025