ISLAMABAD (DI NEWS) : In a significant move aimed at strengthening legal protections against acid violence, Pakistan Peoples Party Member of the National Assembly, Nawabzada Jamal Raisani, has introduced a bill in the National Assembly seeking the harshest possible punishment, including the death penalty, for individuals who use acid as a weapon against others.
The proposed legislation comes in the wake of a shocking acid attack on Dr. Mahnoor, a young doctor serving at a government hospital in Quetta. The incident sparked widespread outrage across the country, with civil society, medical professionals, and human rights activists demanding stricter action against perpetrators of such crimes.
Presenting the bill in parliament, Raisani emphasized that acid attacks are among the most brutal forms of violence, often leaving victims with lifelong physical, psychological, and emotional trauma. He argued that existing punishments have failed to create a sufficient deterrent and that stronger legal measures are necessary to protect citizens, particularly women, from such heinous acts.
The young parliamentarian strongly condemned the attack on Dr. Mahnoor and called for swift justice for the victim. He maintained that individuals who deliberately use acid to disfigure or harm another person commit a crime that destroys lives and should therefore face the severest punishment under the law.
The proposed bill has already generated debate among lawmakers, legal experts, and rights activists. Supporters argue that stricter punishments could serve as a powerful deterrent against future attacks, while others believe broader reforms, including better enforcement, victim support mechanisms, and regulation of acid sales, are equally important.
Acid attacks have long been regarded as one of the most horrific forms of violence in Pakistan, often resulting in permanent disfigurement and years of medical treatment for survivors. Existing laws already prescribe severe penalties for such crimes, but many advocates have continued to call for stronger implementation and tougher punishment for offenders.
The introduction of the bill has been welcomed by many social activists and members of the medical community, who view it as an important step toward ensuring greater accountability and protection for victims. The legislation is expected to be taken up for further discussion in the National Assembly in the coming weeks.
Observers believe that the debate surrounding the bill will also reignite a broader national conversation on violence against women, public safety, and the need for more effective measures to prevent acid attacks and support survivors across Pakistan.
