PA panel proposes stricter punishment for crimes against children.

PESHAWAR -- A special committee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on child abuse on Monday submitted its report to the assembly proposing to increase sentences for several offences against children, including pornography, sexual abuse and trafficking, and to reactivate the non-functional child protection units in different districts.

Law minister Sultan Mohammad Khan tabled the report in the assembly's session chaired by Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani.

The committee was constituted early this year after the killing and sexual abuse of a minor girl in Nowshera district, which had caused a public outcry.

In its report, the committee has proposed several amendments to the KP Child Protection and Welfare Act, 2010, suggesting that the proceedings of execution of sentence of death, awarded to an accused for offence of rape and unnatural lust, be recorded by audio-visual means and such recording be accessible to public as prescribed.

Produces report suggesting to make child protection units functional

In the proposed KP Child Protection and Welfare (Amendment) Act, 2020, the committee suggested that the Child Protection and Welfare Commission (CPWC) maintain a register of sexual offenders, which should include the names of those convicted for offences against children.

It said such convicts should not be employed in any organisation dealing with children and he should also be prohibited to travel in any public transport used by children.

The proposed amendments also said the offences against children, including organ sale, pornography, trafficking, sexual abuse and exposure to seduction, would be tried by model courts set up by the Peshawar High Court instead of the special child protection courts.

The provision will not be applicable if the accused is a minor.

The panel suggested that the fine for commission of an offence of dealing with organs of a child be enhanced from Rs1 million to the minimum Rs2 million and the maximum Rs5 million along with sentence of death or life imprisonment.

The current sentence for child sexual abuse is imprisonment from seven up to 14 years with Rs1 million...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT