NEW LEGISLATION

It is alarming that no one has fear of the law in the country. It is time to take merciless action against the members of the gangrape group, the government should reward them with exemplary punishment so in future people can think twice before distorting others’ lives (“Pakistan plans 3-tier law to curb child abuse, rape,” Sept. 18, Gulf Today).

According to the reports, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that his government will soon introduce a three-tier legislation providing for the registration of sex offenders, exemplary punishment for rape and child abuse and effective policing.

I mr an made the announcement while addressing a joint siting of Parliament ater the passage of a number of Financial Action Task Force-related bills.

Such incidents ruin the lives of victims and their families also have to suffer, he said, referring to the Sept.9 gangrape on the Lahore-sialkot motorway. Introducing only laws will not address the core issue of the crime in the country, but the implementation of such laws according to their true spirit will make a difference in the country.

Working on a new legislation for sex offenders, exemplary punishment for rape and child abuse is a good step forward, but what about existing laws against such crimes? Why have the concerned departments failed to bring criminals to justice using existing laws in the case of rape and child abuse?

The government has to make the police department independent all over Pakistan. There should not be political influence in this department. Corrupt politicians are using the police department in Pakistan for the last many decades.

While introducing new legislation to punish the gangrape and child abuse criminals, the government of Imran Khan has to make sure that the new law will be implemented according to its true spirit. And the State institutions will work on it without any fear and interference from powerful people in the country.

Amanat Jaan By email