ISLAMABAD: Expressing concerns about 10,201 cases of domestic violence against women in Punjab in 2023, a parliamentary body on Wednesday called for a national updated database on crimes against women and children under the Ministry of Human Rights.

The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, which met at the Parliament House took notice of increasing cases of domestic violence against women and children.

The meeting began with a discussion on the Bill titled ‘The National Commission on the Rights of Child (Amendment) Bill 2023’. Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy emphasised the necessity of inspecting and monitoring children’s activities across various sectors and stressed that safeguarding children’s rights was a shared objective among the committee members.

Federal Minister for Law, Justice, and Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar discussed the need to refine the language of the legislation. The chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC), Ayesha Raza Farooq, claimed that significant progress had been made, particularly in compiling data and collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure the provision of necessary information.

Over 10,000 cases registered in Punjab; KP conviction rate in such cases stands between ‘2 to 5pc’

She also mentioned the coordination with Meta International and the launch of an app called ‘Take It Down’, designed specifically for children under 18. This is a free service aimed at obstructing obscene content. Senator Tarar emphasised that obscene content would be removed within an hour and that the source of the content would be blocked.

He added young people over 18 would be able to use the app in its second phase. Moreover, the committee members unanimously agreed to re-nominate Senator Liaqat Khan Tarakai as a member of the Senior Citizens Council.

Chairperson Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, while commending the ‘Take It Down’ app initiative, stressed that children were the future asset and that many of them did not know how to protect themselves, with their parents often being unaware of such issues.

The committee members had an extensive discussion on the sharing of data from the provinces per the 18th Amendment. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri clarified that the 18th Amendment did not prohibit the sharing of data with the provinces.

She also emphasised that provincial authorities often took these matters lightly, leading to inconsistencies in the data reported. She lamented that such negligence was a “crime against humanity”.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri expressed serious concerns about the rising number of crimes against women and children in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Through the documents shared by Punjab police, it was revealed that more than 10,201 cases of domestic violence against women in Punjab were unearthed only in 2023.

According to the documents submitted by KP police, the conviction rate in cases of crimes and women and children was only two to five per cent.

The chairperson held extensive discussions with the prosecution and police authorities of the respective provinces to come up with proposals to uproot the lacunas in their respective investigation and prosecution procedures.

She expressed her serious reservations about the lack of seriousness of the departments in preparing updated data on all these cases. In addition, the DIG Investigation Monitoring Punjab presented data on sexual abuse, murder, rape, acid attacks, and domestic violence from January 2021 to 2024.

The chairperson, along with other committee members, noted a lack of clarity in the data presented. Senator Samina also emphasised the importance of this issue, pointing out inconsistencies in the data shared with the committee. She voiced concerns about the numerous cases that had yet to see justice.

Referring to the case of a minor who was abused on August 22 2024, within the premises of Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, she highlighted that authorities often claimed domestic violence was outside their jurisdiction when an FIR was filed.

She stressed that every case should be treated as a priority, lamenting the ongoing pattern of one incident after another where the culprits remain unpunished.

Senator Samina further remarked that parliament and the relevant department would be held accountable for the heinous crimes occurring one after another. She cited the brutal murder of two sisters in Gujrat, who were assaulted for refusing forced marriage.

She also listed cases of acid attacks, a missing four-year-old girl, alleged rape, and a tragic incident where a father had to witness the murder of his daughter, condemning these as a disgrace to humanity.

She said that the prosecution often ends up defending the criminals. Senator Tarar, acknowledging the chairperson’s comments, added that the entire system needed a thorough overhaul.

The chairperson also stressed the need for accurate facts and figures and urged for action rather than mere presentations. She warned that negligence could lead to a society where killing became a trend and sexual abuse was normalised.

She also criticised the increasing prevalence of forced marriages for unjustifiable reasons. The committee members also discussed in detail the alleged murder case of Sania Zehra, who was subjected to brutal domestic violence in Multan on May 9 2024. The officials concerned provided details based on forensic evidence and apprised the committee members on the status of ongoing progress on the cases.

In attendance were Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, Senator Syed Ali Zafar, Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, Senator Poonjo Bheel, Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, Federal Minister for Law, Justice, and Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, and others.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024