Punjab Assembly Committee Approves Acid Control Act

The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Home Affairs has given its final approval to the Punjab Acid Control Act 2025 — the country’s first dedicated and comprehensive legislation to regulate the sale, distribution, and use of acid and to prevent acid-related violence.

This pioneering law is poised to significantly curb acid attacks and ensure strict accountability across the entire supply chain of acid. The Punjab Home Department will oversee its implementation, while formal notification will be issued by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD).

Unlike other provinces, where acid-related crimes are prosecuted under general laws or scattered legal provisions, Punjab has taken a proactive step by developing a specialized legal framework. Notably, Sindh lacks any dedicated acid control legislation, relying instead on broader legal provisions, which limits enforcement effectiveness.

Introduced as a private member’s bill, the Punjab Acid Control Act 2025 bypasses the usual legislative route—it will be directly presented in the Assembly without needing clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Legislation or full cabinet approval. This reflects both the urgency of the issue and the bipartisan consensus it has garnered.

According to official documents obtained by Jang, the Act imposes strict controls on acid sales due to the well-documented role of unregulated access in facilitating chemical attacks. Selling acid without a valid license issued by the Deputy Commissioner (who will serve as the Licensing Authority) will constitute a non-bailable criminal offense, punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 500,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional three-month jail term.

Licensed vendors, too, will face severe penalties for mishandling or negligent sale of acid—ranging from two to five years of imprisonment and fines between Rs 200,000 and Rs 1 million.

A critical, victim-focused feature of the law mandates that if an acid attack results from negligence on the seller’s part, they will be legally required to compensate the victim. The court will determine the compensation amount under provisions outlined in the Act, thereby reinforcing justice and restitution mechanisms for survivors.

The law will regulate the sale of 30 highly corrosive chemicals, including sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, caustic soda, formaldehyde, dimethyl sulfate, and sodium hypochlorite, among others. A license will be mandatory for their sale.

Under the law, every acid container must be clearly labeled with detailed information: the chemical name, type, seller’s name and license number, quality, quantity, and the manufacturing and expiry dates. Vendors must also maintain thorough records of all transactions in a standardized Form IV, submitted annually to the licensing authority. Failure to maintain or produce these records can lead to license suspension or cancellation.

Manufacturers and importers of acid are also required to obtain licenses and comply with the same regulatory standards. In case a license is lost or destroyed, a replacement will only be issued after careful verification.

The Deputy Commissioner will have wide-ranging powers under the Act, including suspending or revoking licenses in cases of non-compliance or criminal liability. Crucially, any license holder convicted under Sections 332, 336A, or 336B of the Pakistan Penal Code—which address grievous bodily harm and disfigurement through chemicals—will have their license automatically canceled upon conviction.

The law also establishes a clear appeals process. If an individual is denied a license, they can first appeal to the Divisional Commissioner and, if necessary, make a final appeal to the Punjab Home Secretary, ensuring transparency and procedural fairness.

In a key institutional move, the Women Protection Authority is set to become a subsidiary body under the Home Department to assist in the law’s enforcement. A proposal for this has already been submitted to the Chief Minister. Chaired by MPA Hina Pervez Butt, the Authority will serve as a coordination hub between the Home Department and law enforcement agencies, with a particular focus on violence against women.

This structural integration is aimed at enhancing institutional support for acid attack victims, offering them not only justice but also protection, support services, and rehabilitation.

The passage of the Punjab Acid Control Act 2025 marks a major legislative milestone for Punjab and the country at large. By introducing a comprehensive, enforceable legal framework, Punjab is taking decisive action against one of the most brutal forms of violence. The law sends a clear and powerful message: acid attacks will not be tolerated, and the state is fully committed to protecting its citizens through robust legal and administrative measures.