Friday, 27 November, 2020 I 10 Rabi al-Akhir, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 148 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Govt to set up special courts throuGh new anti-rape ordinance
ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
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HE federal government on Thursday got two ordinances passed from the Cabinet Committee on Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) to ensure swift and harsher punishment of convicted rapists and sex offenders by setting up special courts for sexual offences against women and children. Ministry of Law and Justice officially revealed the salient features of the two ordinances, which expand the definition of rape and introduce the concept of chemical castration mainly as a ‘form of rehabilitation’. An official handout issued by the ministry said the CCLC greenlit the ordinances, which the federal cabinet had approved in principle on Wednesday.
Terming the passage of the ordinances as ‘important moment’ in Pakistan’s legislative history for the protection of rights of women, girls and children across the country, the ministry said that the two ‘state-of-the-art pieces of legislation’ – the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance, 2020, and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 — were in line with the constitutional guarantees of Pakistan as well as international treaties the country has signed. The laws will now be placed before the cabinet for final approval before being sent to the president to be promulgated. In the 90 days following that, the ordinances must be submitted to the parliament for ratification. The Draft Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance, 2020 would provide the establishment of special courts; creation of Anti-Rape Crisis Cells to be headed by
coronavirus in
pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
386,198
LAST UPDATED AT 8:02 AM ON NOVEMBER 26, 2020
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
40
RECOVERED:
NEW CASES:
3,306 DEATHS:
334,392 7,843 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
167,381
116,506
KP:
BALOCHISTAN:
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
45,828
16,942
6,403/4,583 28,555
concerned commissioners/deputy commissioners, who will ensure prompt registration of the first information report, medical examination, forensic analysis, etc. The ordinance also seeks to abolish the ‘inhumane and degrading ‘two-finger virginity test’ for rape victims during medico-legal examinations, and eliminating any attachment of probative value to it. The ordinance would also bring an end to the cross-examination of a rape victim by the accused, thereby only allowing the judge and the accused’s lawyers to cross-examine the victim. The trials would be in-camera in future and protection for the victim and witnesses would be ensured. The ordinance would allow the use of modern devices during investigation and trial while the provision of legal assistance to the victims through the Legal Aid and Justice Authority would be ensured. This ordinance also outlines the creation of independent support advisers to the victims and appointment of special prosecutors for the special courts would also be made. An investigation by joint investigation teams headed by district police officers; and creation of a special committee on a pro-bono basis to ensure overall implementation of the law would be made. Rules would be issued by the prime minister upon the recommendation of the special committee for the purposes of issuing medico-legal examination and investigation and prosecution guidelines based on the latest modern techniques and devices. Maintenance of data of sex offenders’ would be registered through NADRA; while a public reporting mechanism would be in place.
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FO snubs reports of absence of Kashmir dispute from OIC meeting agenda ISLAMABAD staff report
The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday rejected as “part of false Indian propaganda” the reports suggesting the omission of the Kashmir dispute from the agenda of the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) scheduled to be held on November 27 and 28. Citing the agenda for the annual meet up, multiple reports suggested the meeting of the Riyadh-dominated bloc of 57 Muslim countries has removed the dispute from its agenda. When checked, the agenda shared on the organisation’s Twitter account indeed missed out the lingering issue. However, it was not immediately clear if it was due to a clerical error or the meeting would, in fact, skip a debate on the dispute, which has been the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy since Indian annexation of the territory in August last, and risk inviting Islamabad’s anger. During his weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that the Kashmir dispute was a “permanent item” on
Six Pakistani cricketers test positive for Covid in New Zealand WELLINGTON agencies
Six members of the Pakistan cricket squad have tested positive for the coronavirus while in managed isolation in Christchurch, New Zealand Cricket said on Thursday. Plans for Pakistan’s upcoming T20 and Test series against New Zealand have been thrown into chaos, with six team members moved into quarantine and the team’s exemption to train while in isolation temporarily revoked. The green shirts are due to play three T20 internationals and two tests from December 18, while a Pakistan ‘A’ tour will also be held concurrently. The health ministry said all 53 members of the travelling party, including players and staff, were tested on arrival on November 24 and the positive results are from those tests. NZC said in a statement all of the players in the squad had tested negative four times before leaving Lahore. Two of the six results were ‘historical’ infections while four were new. NZC added that they had been made aware members of the Pakistan squad may have
the OIC and recalled that the body has been “unambiguously pronouncing itself on the issue for decades, through a succession of summit as well as CFM resolutions”. Friday’s meeting of the CFM, which will be held in Niger’s capital Niamey, would be the first after India repealed held Kashmir’s special status, the spokesperson told reporters. “It is expected that the session would reiterate its strong support to the Kashmir cause. Let me confirm that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute continue(s) to be amongst the longest standing items on the OIC agenda.” He further said that the OIC had spoken on the Kashmir issue multiple times and has “called for a settlement […] with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions”. The OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir has met thrice in the past 15 months, Chaudhri said, adding that a meeting of the group with foreign ministers was held in June this year. “The final communique of that meeting called upon India to rescind its illegal actions and stop egregious human rights violations in the illegally occupied territory,” said the spokesperson.
more inside
Bilawal tests positive for coronavirus, goes into self-isolation STORY ON PAGE 02
Supreme Court issues contempt notice to Sindh CM in KCR case STORY ON PAGE 02
breached strict biosecurity protocols on their first day of their 14-day mandatory isolation. As part of measures to prevent Covid-19 from being brought into the country, the team were not allowed to socialise, eat or train together outside their small bubbles while in isolation. The touring West Indies side also fell foul of the regulations earlier this month and had their training exemption revoked. “We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements,” NZC said. “While this is disappointing
for the Pakistan squad, the testing outcomes and the actions taken show the government system is working. “NZC considers public health and safety to be paramount in the hosting of international teams, and is supportive of the Ministry of Health and government position.” Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Wasim Khan was told by the New Zealand government that one more breach of New Zealand’s Covid-19 protocols by the Pakistan squad would result in the entire travelling party being deported, ESPNcricinfo reported.
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