FARID SABRI
The National Assembly is all set to legislate laws, rules, and acts to protect the illegal torture, harassment being faced by the un-attended orphans, and abandoned children under 15 years of age.
However, a similar legislation was proposed by the House of Business Advisory Committee “The Unattended Orphans (Rehabilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2013” and was proposed and approved by the Senate (Upper house).
Post-approval from the upper house, the bill was referred to the National Assembly to legislate the bill, accordingly. Subsequently, the matter didn’t get the attention of parliamentarians and was lapsed after the span of 90 days.
In the proposed bill, presented by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, it was mentioned that all the un-attended orphans, abandoned children under 15 years shall be the responsibility of orphanage houses to register them with the NADRA, also get the Child Registration Certificate (CRC).
As a matter of fact, minor maid Tayyaba who was tortured at the residence of the additional sessions judge has appeared in front of five-member medical board of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad, headed by Doctor Javed Akram. Tayyaba underwent medical checkup and the wounds on her back were examined particularly. Her blood sample was taken as well for DNA test along with claiming parents and brother. As torture was confirmed by the PIMS medical board, the accused may face the imprisonment and fine.
In the bill, offences like, forces any – unattended orphan to beg, commit petty crimes, rag picking or any act which is injurious to health and dignity of such orphan shall be punishable with imprisonment which shall not be less than four years but may extent to seven years and also with fine which may extend to two hundred thousand rupees.
It is pertinent to mention here that on Thursday, Additional Sessions Judge Raja Khurram has been made an officer on special duty (OSD) and barred from performing duties as a judge. According to the notification issued by Islamabad High Court (IHC), Raja Khurram cannot perform judicial duties as well till the matter is subjudice.
The committee recommended that the “The un-attended orphans (rehabilitation and welfare) bill, 2013”, as reported by the house business advisory committee passed by the senate. The matter was also highlighted in the standing committee on law and justice by Javed Abbasi.
It is pertinent to mention here that there are dozens of cases that languish in National Assembly after being passed from Senate.