Protection of the Rights of Women
- International Human Rights Safeguards and Standards
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1979 and Pakistan ratified the Convention in 1996. Among all the international human rights treaties, CEDAW is the most significant in terms of eradicating discrimination against women. The Convention includes articles pertaining to civil, political, social, cultural, legal as well as reproductive rights of women. The Convention guarantees equal rights to women including the right to vote (Article 7), right to education (Article 10), right to employment (Article 11), rights relating to marriage and family life (Article 16), etc. One of the most significant Articles of the Convention is Article 2 which establishes a positive duty on State Parties to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to legislate, ‘modify or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices which constitute discrimination against women,’[1] and goes on to state that State Parties must ‘repeal all national penal provisions which constitute discrimination against women.’[2] The essence of Pakistan’s international legal obligations within the Criminal Justice System as laid down by CEDAW is then two-fold; establishing laws for the protection of women, and amending or repealing existing laws which continue to discriminate against women. In it’s recent review the committee on CEDAW has outlined several recommendations for the government of Pakistan. The committee has stressed on the need to take effective measures among others, the access to the parallel justice system, which does not discriminate against women.[3] The committee has also suggested strengthening the judicial systems through building the capacity of the judges, lawyers, law enforcement agents and prosecutors on women rights.[4] The committee has also called on the state to take into account the recommendations made by the National Commission on thea status of women with regards to policy making, and legislations in the country.
Various other key human rights instruments also establish a prohibition on gender discrimination and promote the protection of the rights of women. Some of the most essential international instruments in this regard have been provided below:
| THE PROHIBITION ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN IN INTERNATIONAL LAW | |
| UDHR | |
| Article 2 | Principle of Non-Discrimination. |
| Article 7 | Equality before the Law and Equal Protection under the Law. |
| Article 16 | Right to Marriage. |
| Article 23 | Right to Work. |
| ICCPR | |
| Article 2(1) | Principle of Non-Discrimination. |
| Article 3 | Duty on State Parties to ensure equal right of men and women to enjoy all rights. |
| Article 26 | Equality before the Law and Equal Protection under the Law. |
| CEDAW | |
| Article 2 | Duty on State Parties to Eliminate Discrimination against Women. |
| Article 4 | Duty on States to take affirmative action to accelerate equality between men and women. |
| Article 5 | Duty to modify existing prejudicial norms and to ensure family education for women. |
| ICESCR | |
| Article 2(2) | Principle on Non-Discrimination |
| Article 3 | Equal right of men and women to enjoy all economic, social and cultural rights. |
| Article 7 | Right to Work. |
| CRC | |
| Article 2 | Principle of Non-Discrimination. |
| CRPD | |
| Article 3(b) | Principle of Non-Discrimination. |
| Article 3(e) | Equality of Opportunity. |
| Article 3(g) | Equality between men and women. |
| Article 6 | Principle of Non-Discrimination for the protection of Differently-abled Women and Girls. |
| Figure 6.1 – Prohibition on Discrimination against Women in International Law
|
These international instruments require State Parties to ensure women are not only provided equality before the law but equal protections under the law are also established for them. This duty has been translated to criminal law as well and it is the responsibility of the State and Justice Sector actors to ensure that equal protection is rendered to women within the Criminal Justice System as well.
The Committee on CEDAW over the years has recognized Pakistan’s commitment towards extending legal protections to women however it has also noted and made recommendations on family law, discrimination, harmful traditional practices, women’s access to health, education, right to employment, trafficking in persons as well as sexual and gender based discrimination. In 2020, the Committee recommended that Pakistan establish a coordination mechanism to ensure implementation of the Convention throughout the provinces in light of the 18th Amendment, increase the participation of women in national and international peace processes and also establish a comprehensive definition of discrimination within the Constitution. The Committee also recommended that the State raise awareness of the Convention as well as strengthen legal training and capacity building programmes for judges, prosecutors, lawyers and other law enforcement officials on applying the provisions of the Convention directly and interpreting national legislation in line with the Convention. In relation to access to justice, the Committee recommended that parallel justice systems and informal dispute resolutions be consistent with the provisions of the Convention and that awareness should be raised to give preference to judicial remedies over informal dispute resolution mechanisms in relation to women’s rights, elimintate barriers to access to justice for women and girls by ensuring the availability of modern and accessible information and communications technologies and to raise awareness through social media regarding the rights and remedies available to women. It also noted the importance of strengthening the judicial system through capacity-building on women’s rights and gender equality for judges, prosecutors, lawyers, police officers and other law enforcement officials. It also emphasizes on the introduction of systematic capacity building for justice sector actors and law enforcement officials on the strict application of criminal law provisions for gender-based violence against women and on gender-sensitive investigation procedures.
- Constitutional Safeguards
The Constitution of Pakistan lays down a comprehensive framework for the protection of rights of women in the country. However, protections specific to women within the Criminal Justice System will be discussed in the subsequent section on Domestic Law. (See Section 6.1.3)
The following provisions broadly provide for the general protection of women rights within the Constitution:
| ARTICLE | CONTENT |
| Article 25 | Guarantees equality of citizens before the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. |
| Article 26 | Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in respect of access to public places. |
| Article 27 | Safeguard against discrimination on the basis of sex for employment in government services. |
| Article 32 | Ensures representation of women in the local Government. |
| Article 34 | Ensures full participation of women in all spheres of national life. |
| Article 37 | Promotes social justice includes provision to ensure maternity benefits for women in employment. |
| Article 38 | Secures the well-being of the people irrespective of sex by raising the standard of living.
|
| Article 51 | Reserves seats for women in the National Assembly. |
| Article 59 | Reserves seats for women in the Senate. |
| Article 106 | Reserves seats for women in Provincial Assemblies. |
| Figure 6.2 – Constitutional Safeguards for the protection of the rights of women in Pakistan.
|
- Domestic Law and Jurisprudence
1. Domestic Law
- Violence Against Women
Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012
Each province with the exception of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have enacted domestic violence laws. The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012[5] (the domestic violence law enacted in Sindh[6] and Balochistan[7] have similar content with slight variations) defines domestic violence broadly and includes all intentional acts of gender-based or other physical or psychological abuse committed by the accused against women, children or other vulnerable persons, with whom the accused person is or has been in a domestic relationship.[8] The Act allows the Court to pass interim orders,[9] protection orders[10] and residence orders[11] for the protection of victims of domestic violence. Sec. 13 of the Act explains that any breach of such orders by the accused may be punishable by imprisonment for a period not less than six months and with a fine not less than one hundred thousand rupees. It further explains that if an accused violates such orders for the second or third time, then he may be liable to punishment not less than two years along with a fine not less than two hundred thousand rupees. In addition to this, Sec. 13(3) states that the offence committed under this section shall be cognizable, non-bailable and compoundable.
The Act further provides for the protection of victims of domestic violence in various ways, as it provides mandatory counselling services for the victims[12] and allows residence in the house shared with the aggressor regardless of title or any beneficial interest in the property.[13]
Punjab has also enacted the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016.[14] The Act aims to establish an effective system of punishment of the accused and the protection and rehabilitation of women against violence. It establishes Protective Centres and shelter homes for victims of domestic violence,[15] and includes provisions about GPS tracking of the offenders to ensure protection of women. [16] The Punjab Women Protection Authority Act 2017[17] further facilitates the implementation of institutional measures stipulated under the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016 including, establishment of district women protection committees, violence against women centers and women protection officers.
Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences in the name or pretext of Honour) Act 2016
The Act amends certain sections of the PPC and Cr.P.C to deter and prevent offences committed in the name of honour. It amends Sec. 229 of the PPC 1860 to add a new clause relating to the concept of ‘Fasad-fil-arz’ which is used to decide the severity of punishment awarded by observing factors such as the offender’s past convictions, nature of the offence, whether the offender is a danger to the community and whether the offender has committed any offences in the name of honour – which means that commission of honour crimes will now lead to harsher punishment for the offender.
A significant effect of the Act is the amendment to Sec. 311 of the PPC 1860 which now states that murder committed in the name of honour is punishable with death or imprisonment for life and even where the accused is pardoned by the Wali (guardian) or other family members of the victim the Court will still punish the accused with imprisonment for life.
Other acts of violence which have been specifically criminalised to protect women under the PPC are as follows:
| PAKISTAN PENAL CODE 1860 | |
| Sec. 354 | Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty (punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years or with fine, or with both). |
| Sec. 354-A | Assault or use of criminal force to woman and stripping her of her clothes (punishable with death or with imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine). |
| Sec. 365-B | Kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel for marriage or to force, or to seduce to illicit intercourse (punishable with imprisonment of life, and shall be also liable for fine). |
| Sec. 366-A | Inducement of any minor girl under the age of eighteen years to go from any place or to do any act with intent that such girl may be, forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person (punishable with imprisonment which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine). |
| Sec. 366-B | Importation of any girl under the age of twenty-one years with intent that she may be, forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person (punishable with imprisonment which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine). |
| Sec. 371-A | Selling a person for purposes of prostitution, etc. (punishable with imprisonment which may extend to twenty-five years, and shall also be liable to fine). |
| Sec. 375 & 376 | Offence of rape (punishable with death or imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years or more than twenty-five years and shall also be liable to fine. Additionally, when rape is committed by two or more persons in furtherance of common intention of all, each of such persons shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life). |
| Sec. 493-A | Cohabitation with any woman deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage (punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to twenty-five years and shall also be liable to fine). |
| Sec. 496-A | Taking or enticing away any woman with intent that she may have illicit intercourse with any person, or concealing or detaining with that intent any woman (punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine). |
| Sec. 496-C | Falsely accusing someone of fornication (punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees). |
| Sec. 498-A | Depriving any woman from inheriting property at the time of opening of succession (punishable with imprisonment for either description for a term which may extend to ten years but not be less than five years or with a fine of one million rupees or both). |
| Sec. 498-B | Coercing or compelling a woman to enter into marriage (punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term, which may extend to seven years or for a term which shall not be less than three years and shall also be liable to fine of five hundred thousand rupees). |
| Sec. 498-C | Compelling, arranging or facilitating the marriage of a woman with the Holy Quran (punishable with imprisonment of either description which may extend to seven years which shall not be less than three years and shall be liable to fine of five hundred thousand rupees). |
| Sec. 509 | Insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment (punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with fine up to five hundred thousand rupees or with both). |
| Figure 6.3 – Offences for the protection of women
|
Acid Attacks
The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act 2011 (Criminal Law Second Amendment Act 2011) also made amendments to the PPC and the Cr.P.C to punish perpetrators of acid crimes by clearly including acid crimes in the definition of hurt.[18] In Punjab in 2012, the Provincial Government inserted the causing of hurt by a “corrosive substance or attempt to cause hurt by means of a corrosive substance” into the Third Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 allowing the fast-tracked Anti-Terrorism Courts to take up cases of acid attacks in the province.[19] Other provinces also mirror such an approach in their Anti-Terrorism Courts.[20]
Data collected by Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF), Pakistan chapter, shows a significant decrease in the cases of acid attacks in the country during the year 2015. According to ASF statistics, the total number of reported acid attack cases in 2015 was 69 as compared to 153 in 2014 and 109 in 2013. A position paper formulated by ASF says that the phenomenon of acid violence came under spotlight in Pakistan since 2012 when only 1 per cent of the cases of acid attacks notified by ASF had the initial First Incident Reports (FIRs) registered under the relevant law (article 336-A and 336-B). In 2013, one year after ASF Pakistan intensively trained stakeholders involved in the execution of law, 71 per cent of the cases notified to ASF were registered under the relevant law. Consequently, convictions have been more numerous, more rapid and more severe since 2013. The ASF believed that official notification from the government of Punjab in 2013 and 2015 demanding authorities to prosecute cases of acid attacks under the Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC) has actually impacted in a positive manner the victims’ access to justice.[21]
The Acid Survivors Foundation Pakistan (ASFP) in 2017 said that reported cases of acid attacks on women have dropped by around 50 per cent compared to the last five years. In 2016 and 2017, there were a total of 71 victims of acid attacks, whereas between 2018 and 2019, there were 62 cases related to acid throwing, 11 cases of burning, and 4 about multiple burns.[22]
Rape Laws
The Parliament enacted the Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offence of Rape) Act 2016. The Act introduced the following amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and Code of Criminal Procedure 1989.
- Pakistan Penal Code 1860
Sec. 55 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860[23] was amended to ensure that life sentence given to an offender accused of assault, use of force or rape of women cannot be reduced to anything less severe. Sec. 166(2) of the PPC was also amended to prescribe a sentence of up to three years for a public official who fails to investigate rape cases diligently. Sec. 186 of the PPC supplements this and states that any individual accused of obstructing an official from carrying out an investigation will also face a sentence of a period of three months to a year along with a fine of up to fifty-thousand rupees.
Sec. 376(3) and Sec. 376(4) of the PPC have also been amended to the effect that more serious categories of rape will now be subjected to the death penalty or life imprisonment. Whereas, Sec. 376-A was added to protect the identity of rape victims. It states that any person publishing the name or any other material which has the effect of revealing the identity of the victim will be sentenced to imprisonment for up to three years and will be liable under a fine.
- Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
The Cr.P.C has been amended to provide safeguard to the victims of sexual violence. Sec. 53-A establishes a requirement for medical examination by a registered medical practitioner of the accused whereas, Sec. 164-A provides for the examination of the victim. Additionally, Sec. 164-B provides for the collection of DNA samples from the victim with their consent or the consent of a natural or legal guardian. The law provides that such samples are to be sent to a forensic laboratory at the earliest to ensure proper examination and preservation and these can be matched with DNA samples of the accused to determine criminal liability.
In addition to this, the Cr.P.C 1898 provides that information of the rape[24] and the statement of the victim[25] must be recorded in the presence of a female officer or in the presence of a person nominated by the victim. It also provides that information related to the crime may be recorded at the residence of the complainant, or at any other place of the complainant’s choice if they are in a state of distress.
Under Sec. 161-A of the Cr.P.C provision for free legal aid for victims of sexual violence has also been introduced, and Sec. 352 allows for trials to be conducted in-camera and for the provision of screens to protect the identity and dignity of the victim or the witnesses to the crime. Sec. 344-A is of significance as well as it requires proceedings to be fast-tracked with the time for concluding the trial set at three months, whereas time for appeal has been limited to six months under Sec. 417 of the Cr.P.C. Additionally, provincial governments have been prohibited under Sec. 402 Cr.P.C from intervening to change or reduce sentences of rape.
- Discriminatory Practices Against Women
The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act 2011[26] was passed to criminalise oppressive and discriminatory customs practiced in the country. The Act amended the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 to criminalise the following:
- Depriving women from inheriting their property by deceitful or illegal means[27]
- Forced marriages[28],
- Marriage with the Holy Quran[29]
- Giving a female in marriage or otherwise in badla-e-sulh, wanni or swara[30]
Apart from this, many other laws have been promulgated to protect the integrity of women including the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elimination of Custom of Ghag Act 2013[31] which abolished the tradition of Ghag in different cultures. The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2018[32] also imposes harsher penalties against who traffic women or children. Furthermore, Sec. 290, 302, 310, 311 and 338E of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and Sec. 345 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 were also amended to make the punishments in relation to honour killings harsher. The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act 2011 (Criminal Law Second Amendment Act 2011) also made amendments to the PPC and the Cr.P.C to punish perpetrators of acid crimes by clearly including acid crimes in the definition of hurt.[33]
- Women and the Criminal Justice System
The following sections apply for the protection of women during arrest and detention:
| ARREST AND DETENTION OF WOMEN | |
| Cr.P.C | |
| Sec. 52 | Mode of searching women – “whenever it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search shall be made by another woman, with strict regard to decency.” |
| Sec. 167 | A Magistrate is barred from authorizing the detention of a female in police custody. In such case the police officer making an investigation shall interrogate the woman accused in the prison in the presence of an officer of jail and a female police officer. However, physical remand may be given in cases where a female is involved in qatl or dacoity.
|
| Police Rules 1934 | |
| Rule 25.22 | A medical examination if required to be conducted on a woman shall only be performed with her consent and upon a written order by a Magistrate. This order shall be addressed to a Medical Officer who shall be directed to conduct the necessary medical examination. Where a woman refuses to be examined by a male doctor, she may be examined by a female assistant or sub-assistant surgeon in the service of the government. |
| Rule 26.3 | Where women arrested and not released on bail need to be searched, it shall be conducted by a female with due regard to decency. Moreover, when prisoners are first admitted to police custody and every time when they are readmitted to a lockup, shall be searched. In case of women, the search is to be conducted by female police officers. |
| Rule 26.18-A | ▪ The arrest of women, whether without warrant or with a bailable or non-bailable warrant shall be affected by a police officer of a rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) or above. If a police officer of this rank is not available, then a woman may be arrested by the Head Constable in the ‘presence of responsible male relatives and village or town officials.’
▪ Where the arrested woman is not sent to judicial custody or released on bail immediately, the Superintendent of Police shall forward a copy of the above-mentioned special report to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). ▪ In cases where bail is admissible, women must not be detained for a period longer than that which is absolutely necessary for the production of bonds or sureties. ▪ An application for physical remand of a woman accused shall only be made by the special order of a gazetted officer. ▪ Sub-Rule 2 explicitly enunciates that a woman shall not be lodged in police lockups even for a night ‘except in unavoidable circumstances.’ Instead they shall be immediately produced in front of a Magistrate to obtain judicial remand and thereby handed over. However, where physical remand is unavoidable the application shall be made by the order of a gazetted officer only. Moreover, this gazetted officer shall be responsible for the decent custody of the accused prisoner. ▪ Women when admitted to judicial remand shall immediately be transferred to police headquarters or other ‘properly equipped sub-divisional female judicial lock-ups’; and the order of remand thereby reported to the District Magistrate. ▪ An ASI shall escort women prisoners for the purposes of investigation. Where an ASI is not posted at a police station, then a Head Constable may lead the escort. |
| Figure 6.3 – Domestic Law relating to the Arrest and Detention of Women.
|
2. Jurisprudence
National Commission on Status of Women v. Government of Pakistan[34]
In the case it was contested that negligible representation of women before jirgas/panchayats which already mirrored a patriarchal mindset was a blatant violation of international law. The argument was built upon the doctrine of lack of justice and equality before the law. It was held that the representation of women could not be through a male-kin if their rights were involved and they must be allowed an opportunity of personal hearing if they so desired. It was iterated that the manner in which the jirgas/panchayats operate, they violated fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution of Pakistan including Article 25, as well as the international instruments (Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)) that the country has ratified. They also violate the State’s responsibility to ensure that all women in Pakistan have access to courts or tribunals, and are treated equally before the law.
Mst. Shahida Parveen v. The State[35]
In applying the protections available to women during arrest and detention, the Court held that where the police knew that they were required to search a woman but failed to take a lady constable with them for her search, the case of the prosecution became doubtful and the accused woman was acquitted.
Nasreen and Another v. Station House Officer, Police Station Batala Colony, Faisalabad and 10 Others[36]
The Lahore High Court declared that a search conducted without a female police officer was illegal and without lawful authority.
Haseena Taimor Afridi v. The State[37]
Where a fifteen-year old girl was arrested, kept in police custody for investigation and hereinafter remanded to judicial lockup while no evidence was brought on record which could incriminate her; the Supreme Court not only released the accused female child on bail, but also called for explanations from the police officer in-charge of investigation, the SHO, and the investigating officers. Moreover, the Magistrate who had granted physical and then judicial remand, which resulted in the girl being detained at Adiala Jail, was also directed to submit his explanation for not adhering to the relevant provisions of law.
Umer Taj v. The State[38]
Justice Roohul Amin Khan based his decision on the Protection of Women (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2006, and the Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences related to Rape) Act 2016, both of which have been introduced with the aim of protecting women in offences relating to sexual abuse, fornication, adultery etc. The Court stated that where an offence under Sec. 376 or 377 or 377-B of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, was committed or attempted to have been committed or was alleged to have been committed, the investigating officer (IO) shall proceed for collecting Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) samples, where practicable, from the victim with his or her consent or with the consent of his or her natural or legal guardian and the accused during the medical examinations conducted under Sec. 164-A within optimal time period of receiving information related to commission of such offence. It also stated that by use of the word ‘shall’ in Sec. 164-B Cr.P.C, its application has been made mandatory in offence under Sec 376 PPC.
Ishrat Batool v. Government of Punjab[39]
It was held that all citizens are to be treated equally and there cannot be any discrimination including gender discrimination, however, the State may make special provisions for protection of women and children. The Constitution of Pakistan allows positive classification for the protection of the women and children and where a provision is made for the benefit of women and children the State may provide them some benefits but cannot deprive them of the same.
Shaukat Ali Hayat v. Government of Punjab[40]
The petitioner challenged the constitutionality of advertisement for employment of educators which provided five years age relaxation for all candidates and three years further for female candidates. He contended that the additional age relaxation given to women was violative of fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 25 and Article 27 of the Constitution under which no citizen otherwise qualified for appointment in service should be discriminated and all citizens were equal and there should be no discrimination on basis of sex. It was reiterated in the case that Article 25(3) of the Constitution provided that the State was competent to make any special provisions for protection of women and children, and therefore the advertisement did not infringe any fundamental rights of men, rather it was a step towards protection and encouragement of the women of society.
Mst. Hina v. Province of Sindh through Secretary Home Department Sindh[41]
In the case, the High Court emphasized on the implementation of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013. It was emphasised that each district should have a committee to deal with the cases falling under the ambit of the Act. The directions to implement the Act included, creation of a special task force to entertain the victims of domestic violence, training of protection officers, launching relevant campaigns, etc. to ensure better access to justice for female complainants.
[1] UNGA, ‘Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,’ 18 December 1979 1249 UNTS 13 Article 2(f)
[2] Ibid Article 2(g)
[3] CEDAW, ‘Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of Pakistan, CEDAW/C/PAK/CO/5
[4] Ibid para 20(d)
[5] The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012
[6] The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013 (Sindh Act No. XX of 2013)
[7] The Balochistan Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2014 (Act VII of 2014)
[8] Sec. 4 Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012
[9] Sec. 8 Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012
[10] Sec. 9 Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012
[11] Sec. 9 Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act
[12] Sec. 6 Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012
[13] Sec. 7 Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012
[14] The Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 20 (Act XVI of 2016)
[15] Sec. 3(b) of the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016 (Act XVI of 2016)
[16] Sec. 7(d) of the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016 (Act XVI of 2016)
[17] The Punjab Women Protection Authority Act 2017 (Act X of 2017)
[18] Sec. 336-B Pakistan Penal Code 1860
[19] Punjab Home Department Notification No. SO (Judl-I)10(I-36(I)/2010, dated 5th September, 2012
[20] Vijay Pervaiz v. The State 2019 YLR 2540 Quetta
[21] https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/104093-Significant-decrease-in-acid-attacks-cases-during-2015
[22] https://tribune.com.pk/story/1333711/asf-report-acid-throwing-cases-post-sharp-decline
[23] Pakistan Penal Code 1860 (Act XLV of 1860)
[24] Sec. 154 Cr.P.C 1898
[25] Sec. 161 Cr.P.C 1898
[26] Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act (Criminal Law Amendment) 2011
[27] Sec. 498A Pakistan Penal Code 1860
[28] Sec. 498B Pakistan Penal Code 1860
[29] Sec. 498C Pakistan Penal Code 1860
[30] Sec. 310 Pakistan Penal Code 1860
[31] Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elimination of Custom of Ghag Act 2013
[32] Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2018 (Act No. XXXIV of 2018)
[33] Sec. 336-B Pakistan Penal Code 1860
[34] 2019 PLD 218 Supreme Court
[35] 1996 P.Cr.L.J 179
[36] 2001 P.Cr.L.J 685
[37] 2013 SCMR 1326
[38] 2017 – unreported, available at: https://peshawarhighcourt.gov.pk/PHCCMS/judgments/Umar-Taj-Vs-the-State.pdf
[39] 2018 PLC(CS)N 165
[40] 2017 PLC(CS) Lahore High Court 1325
[41] 2019 PLD Sindh 363