04 December 2024, Islamabad: Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights in collaboration with UNWomen and supported by INL as part of their ongoing TAHAFFUZ project organized a national dialogue of the key stakeholders in a local hotel in Islamabad, today. The main objective of thisnational dialogue was to identify the gaps in the overall medico legal regime and to come up with the recommendations to improve the system and the better coordination among the stakeholders. The dialogue was attended by official from concerned government departments, members of the Bar, medico legal officers and representatives of the leading civil society organizations from Islamabad.
Mr. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, the senior puisne judge of the Islamabad High Court, in his keynote address highlightedthat as part of the investigation of the incident of rape or sexual abuse prompt medical examination is mandatory in terms of Section 164A of the Cr.PC. This section also sets out the procedure to be followed for a medico-legal examinationin such cases. He emphasized that since medico legal evidence is at the intersection of medical and justice processes therefore appropriate implementation requires coordination between the range of actors and sectors involved in prevention of, and response to, sexual violence.
Mr. Muhammad Shafique Chaudhry, Executive Director, Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights said that the national dialogue is very important and it will definitely go a long way in addressing the gaps and improving the overall medico legal regime in the country. His remarks followed by a panel discussion led by Ms. Ume Laila, Ms. Nida Aly, member special committee on Anti Rape, Federal Prosecutor General, Mr. Ghulam Sarwar, and Dr. Sultan Azam Temuri Inspector General of Police (Rtd.) All the panelists were unanimous in their views that despite recent legislative and policy developments there are still many areas that needs immediate attention of the law makers.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Jacqui Vipunjit Ketunuti, Deputy Country Representative UN Women Representative apprised that The Prevention and Protection of Women from Violence through Enhanced Access to Justice and Services also called “TAHAFFUZ” is a collaborated effort with the US Embassy, Office of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). And it works for ‘closing gaps in women’s access to justice, with interventions tailored to the provincial context in Punjab and Sindh across five districts (Karachi, Sukkur, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi) as well as the Islamabad Capital Territory’. She said this event underscores the government and civil society’s commitmentin improving the medico legal system of Pakistan and for creating a safe and inclusive environment in the country where every woman and girl can live free from fear and violence.
Mr. Khashih ur Rehman (Draftsman) Special Secretary,Mistry of Law and Justice, Government of Pakistan, in his concluding remarks, highlighted the efforts of the current government in improving the state of women rights in Pakistan. He assured that the recommendations that has been emerged during the course of this dialogue will help us government in further improving the medico legal system to ensure justice to the survivors of violence. Others who spoke on the occasion includes Mr. Shahid Iqbal, DG, Probation and Parole, and Ms. Rizwana Bashir, district women protection officer.
Editor: Kamran Raja