The 2020 Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act was submitted to the National Assembly with the aim of “creating an effective system to protect, facilitate and rehabilitate women, children, the elderly and vulnerable people from domestic violence”.
Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari presented the bill, saying that domestic violence [if the offense is not covered by Pakistan’s criminal code] can be punishable by up to three years and at least six months, depending on the severity of the the crime. By law, the offense under PPC is punishable if an offense under the PPC is committed in a domestic relationship.
The bill, which also applies to the Islamabad metropolitan area, describes domestic violence as any physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse committed by a respondent against women,
children, vulnerable persons or persons with whom the respondent is or was a domestic relationship that causes the victim fear, physical or mental damage.
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A perpetrator of between 20,000 and 100,000 rupees would also be prosecuted for the perpetrator of domestic violence, who would be compensated for the injured person. In the event of late payment, the perpetrator can be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.
It includes, but is not limited to, repetition or jealousy that violates privacy, freedom, integrity and security, the risk of divorce or other marriage resulting from unfounded charges or infertility, willful or negligent abandonment, prosecution and management in order to lead. Harassment or coercion of the woman to live with someone other than the man.
Under the Act, the Ministry of Human Rights forms a protection committee under this Act within three months of the adoption of the Act.
The bill also criminalizes insults, ridicule, and false accusations regarding the nature of a female member or member of the common household, as well as willful deprivation of funds, or access to the resources to which the victim is legally entitled.
