MPAs’ resolution on Domestic Violence Act | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

MPAs’ resolution on Domestic Violence Act

LAHORE: Women MPAs of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q submitted a resolution to the Punjab Assembly secretariat on Thursday seeking house’s recommendation for framing rules under the Domestic Violence Act 2009, recently passed by the National Assembly, in a way to overcome the shortcomings, if any, in the Act.

The Act authorises federal and provincial governments to make rules for implementation of its certain provisions.

The resolution is specially aimed at changing the nomenclature, functions and composition of protection committees provided in the law.

Amna Ulfat and Seemal Kamran, two of the movers, say the need for improving the legislation was felt during a consultation with lawyer and rights activist Hina Jillani.

The MPAs say the Act, presently lying with Senate, prescribes protection committees at tehsil level, but they want such bodies down to union council level for tackling domestic violence.The resolution seeks renaming of the body as ‘Investigation and Protection Committee’ and giving it powers to probe into the domestic violence allegations, if need be, levelled by a plaintiff. It suggests a special court to deal with domestic violence complaints.

The movers want inclusion of elite of the area in the committee and giving its chairmanship to an elected representative instead of a gazetted officer as suggested in the Act.
Source: Dawn
Date:10/30/2009