DLP Report
PESHAWAR
A consultative meeting was held under the chair of Dr. Sumaira Shams, Chairperson of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women, regarding the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Burn and Acid Crimes (Prevention and Rehabilitation of Victims) Act.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Women Commission Shazia Atta, Director Program Amina Durrani, former MPAs Ayesha Naeem and Asiya Khattak, Secretary Social Welfare, Special Secretary Education & Women Empowerment Department, Deputy Director Directorate General of Prosecution, and officers from various departments.
During the meeting, detailed consultations were held on the draft of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Burn and Acid Crimes Act, which—after finalization—will be sent to the provincial assembly through the Social Welfare Department.
Expressing her views, Chairperson Dr. Sumera Shams said that the KP government is introducing various laws in favor of women, which will provide protection to women against all forms of violence. She added that the purpose of the proposed Act is to prevent unnecessary and illegal use of acid and to take concrete measures for the rehabilitation of the affected persons.
Other participants stated that the draft of the Burn and Acid Crimes Act had been pending for a long time, and after Chairperson Dr. Sumera Shams assumed charge of the KP Commission on the Status of Women, work on the bill was resumed. They expressed hope that the Act would soon be passed by the Provincial Assembly.
The Chairperson said that acid attacks not only cause severe physical harm but also leave deep psychological effects on survivors. Therefore, this Act will provide a strong system of legal, medical, financial, and psychological support for victims.
She further stated that the Women Commission is committed to ensuring that women across the province are protected from all forms of violence and are provided with a strong support system to live a dignified life.
It is worth mentioning that under the proposed Act, a high-level Monitoring and Advisory Board will be established, which will play a key role in policymaking, implementation, and oversight.
