About time
Progressive legislation, even when triggered by persistent needless tragedy, is welcome. But surely PML-N realises that getting a parliamentary committee to agree on anti-honour killing and anti-rape bills is only one small step in a long process. It must now prepare for the usual right-of-centre onslaught, especially from clerics who have opposed such reforms for years. However, having won points for initiative and optics, the ruling party cannot afford a replay of March, when the Anti-Honour Killing Laws Bill and Anti-Rape Laws Bill were presented at a joint session of parliament, only to be bulldozed by the mullah lobby.
Also, a few points need clarification. The admissibility of DNA in rape cases, for example, which has been disputed by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). For one thing, it is unclear how the government reconciles with the Council’s position on the matter. For another, it is also unclear whether DNA will be considered primary or secondary evidence. Then there is the matter of implementation of these laws. Even if it passes the joint session of parliament shortly, getting these laws implemented in letter and spirit will be another challenge. How the government follows through on its promises on these matters will be a crucial part of the national narrative; which should show zero tolerance towards such regressive tendencies in society.
It is sad, once again, that it takes death and disgrace for the government to act. In a country where an average of 500 girls are killed in the name of honour every year, and hundreds more are raped without hope of justice, the government needs to act with great urgency to ensure provision of basic rights to women. This is a far cry from the Fort of Islam that Pakistan was supposed to be, where everyone’s rights would be protected. The government is already very late in floating this legislation. Now it must make sure it serves its purpose.