The Senate has passed several important bills, including amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), aimed at strengthening cyber laws, protecting victims’ rights, and improving the legal system.
According to the amendment, the federal government will enter into Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties with countries whose social media applications are used in Pakistan, enabling better international cooperation in dealing with cybercrime cases.
The Senate also approved amendments to criminal laws, under which failure to conduct a medical examination of a rape victim, male or female, may result in up to one year of imprisonment and a fine for the responsible personnel.
Furthermore, legal action will also be taken against private or public hospitals that fail to provide immediate medical assistance to victims.
Under the amendment, private hospitals will be required to transfer rape victims to government hospitals within 24 hours.
The Senate also passed amendments to electronic crime laws, increasing punishment for producing or distributing child sexual abuse material.
The sentence has been increased from 7 to 10 years in prison, while the fine has been raised from Rs5 million to Rs10 million.
In addition, the Senate approved Samina Zehri’s Family Court Amendment Bill and Sherry Rehman’s bill banning plastic covers on books in Islamabad.
