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Creating commissions: Senate body mulls moves to protect women

By: Azam Khan

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to stem the tide of violence against women in Sindh and Balochistan, a parliamentary panel is considering creating commissions that would shield women from a flurry of abuse.

This week a panel of the upper house deliberated on the issue of violence against women in the country.

According to a report prepared by the police department for Senate’s functional committee on human rights 1,360 incidents of violence against women were reported in Sindh. Among these, 132 originated from Sukkur, 140 from Larkana, 63 from Mirpurkhas, 211 from Hyderabad and 622 from Karachi.

The report reveals that over 21 cases of gang rape were registered in the province. In addition, 88 cases of karo-kari were also reported.

According to Central Police Office Quetta, Balochistan, 35 cases of torture against women were reported in the insurgency-hit province.

During the meeting, Senator Farhatullah Babar, who is also a veteran PPP leader, suggested that the panel approach provincial governments to set up commissions similar to the National Commission on Status of Women.

Sources privy to the development said that the panels would work closely with the National Commission and Women Development departments (NCSW) to ensure that incidents of violence against women are prevented.

Mumtaz also suggested that there was a need to review laws that allow compromise between the perpetrators and the victims.

Commenting on the issue, PPP Senator Raza Rabbani said, “This shows a mindset that is regressive,” adding that it shows how Islam continues to be misinterpreted and distorted for political reasons. The Senate body also highlighted the lack of awareness and non-implementation of laws as the main reasons for increase in the violence against women.

Express Tribune