A member of the National Assembly has introduced legislation advocating for the death penalty for individuals convicted of acid attacks, highlighting the failure of current laws to deter this heinous crime that inflicts lifelong trauma on victims.
Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani submitted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2026, to the National Assembly Secretariat, aiming to amend Section 336-B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) to impose harsher penalties.
This legislative initiative follows widespread public outrage over a recent acid attack in Quetta targeting female doctor Mahnoor Nasir, which reignited demands for stronger judicial measures against gender-based violence.
In a significant development, the proposed amendment calls for capital punishment as the maximum sentence for acid throwing, while maintaining existing penalties such as life imprisonment or a minimum 14-year term. Additionally, the bill suggests imposing a minimum fine of Rs1 million payable to the victim.
The bill emphasizes that despite stringent laws enacted in 2011, acid attacks continue to occur nationwide, indicating that current punishments have not effectively deterred offenders.
Drawing on judicial precedents, the draft legislation references Supreme Court rulings that classify acid attacks as crimes sometimes more severe than murder. It notes that while a murder victim’s suffering ends with death, acid attack survivors endure permanent physical and psychological scars.
The bill further details the profound and multifaceted impact on survivors—mostly women and vulnerable groups—who face lifelong disabilities, mental trauma, social exclusion, and financial hardship.
The recent attack on Dr. Mahnoor Nasir in Quetta served as a catalyst for this legislative push, described in the bill as an incident that “shook the entire nation” and exposed urgent deficiencies in public safety and legal deterrence.
Speaking in Quetta, Raisani stressed the state’s duty to safeguard citizens from such brutal violations of human dignity. He stated that the amendment aims to instill fear among potential offenders and convey a clear message that Pakistan will not tolerate acid violence.
Raisani added that ensuring a safe environment for women requires penalties that reflect the extreme cruelty of acid attacks.
The bill is now set to be reviewed by the relevant standing committee before being presented for a vote in the National Assembly’s lower house.
