The Supreme Court on Monday declared acid attacks as crimes more severe than murder and directed both federal and provincial governments to implement comprehensive legal reforms. These include establishing a national rehabilitation fund and instituting mandatory job quotas for survivors.
In a detailed 14-page verdict authored by Justice Hashim Kakar, the court dismissed an appeal by a man convicted of an acid attack on a woman in Faisalabad. The court upheld his life imprisonment sentence and imposed a Rs1 million compensation payment to the victim.
Beyond the conviction, the Supreme Court issued binding guidelines aimed at addressing the prolonged medical needs and social exclusion faced by acid attack survivors. It ordered governments to formally recognize survivors within employment and education quotas designated for persons with disabilities.
In a significant development, the court instructed lawmakers to draft legislation to create a “National Acid Survivors Rehabilitation Fund.” This fund is intended to provide survivors with a monthly stipend or allowance to secure their financial stability.
Justice Kakar highlighted the profound psychological trauma endured by survivors, describing the social isolation resulting from disfigurement as a form of “social death.” The court emphasized that acid attacks inflict lifelong physical and mental suffering, underscoring the gravity of the crime.
To combat this, the Supreme Court mandated the state to develop comprehensive national rehabilitation guidelines. These guidelines must ensure permanent funding for survivors’ lifelong medical care, including specialized surgeries, physical therapy, and psychological support.
For swift enforcement, the court directed its registrar to distribute copies of the judgment to all provincial high courts. Copies have also been sent to the federal law secretary, the chairman of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, and provincial law departments to initiate the necessary legislative actions.
This ruling responds to persistent demands from human rights advocates in Pakistan for stricter controls on acid sales and enhanced state support for the hundreds of women subjected to gender-based violence and acid attacks annually.
