National Assembly Approves Bill Against Corporal Punishment of Children

National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill against the corporal punishment of children in Islamabad.

Titled ‘ICT Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill’ (IPCPB), the bill prohibits corporal punishment in the capital and sets out penalties for persons physically punishing children.


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According to details, the bill bans all forms of corporal punishment in all types of public and private educational institutions, child care institutions, and workplaces.

It will also penalize persons for physically assaulting and hurting children regardless of their intentions, which effectively invalidates the provisions of Section 89 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Section 89 of PPC considers the use of bodily harm against children as “an act done in good faith for the benefit of the child” and does not deem the use of corporal punishment against children as an offense.

The proposed bill will now be presented in the Senate for approval following which it will be signed into law.


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Here are the salient features of the IPCPB:

  • Everyone under the age of 18 is identified as a minor and will be included in the definition of children.
  • Corporal punishment against children in all educational institutions, child care institutions, and workplaces will be prohibited.
  • Slapping children, whipping them, beating them with sticks, shoes, wood, or spoons, shaking them, biting them, grabbing them by the hair, or pulling their ears will be considered corporal punishment.
  • Corporal punishment also includes child abuse, humiliation, defamation, and intimidation which will be punishable with demotion, suspension, dismissal, or forced retirement.
  • Children have the right to have their personality and individuality respected and culprits of corporal punishment will not be eligible for any jobs in the future.


  • Teachers in all schools need special training on Emotional Intelligence, Critical Thinking, Mindset overhaul to produce valuable students.


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