The National Assembly of Pakistan has unanimously approved a bill aimed at reducing the number of violent attacks against women. The “Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010” was introduced by National Assembly members, Marvi Memon and Begum Shahnaz Sheikh, as well as Advocate Anusha Rehman. The bill states that anyone who “causes hurt by corrosive substance” will now be punished by life imprisonment, or no less than fourteen years in prison and a minimum one million rupee fine.
National statistics on acid violence are not available, but women’s advocates estimate that there are as many as 150 victims of acid attacks every year.
Compiled from: National Assembly unanimously approves bill to control acid crimes (5 May 2011), Pakistan acid victims rebuild ruined lives, WUNRN, (13 April 2011).