Islamabad: President Dr Arif Alvi in Tuesday approved the Anti-Rape Ordinance 2020 to ensure speedy trials in cases of sexual violence against women and children and will allow for chemical castration of those convicted of such offences.
The President House said in a statement that under the ordinance, special courts will be established throughout the country for speedy trials of sexual assault suspects and decided the cases within four months.
Under the new law, Anti-Rape Crisis Cells will also be set up across the county that will be responsible for conducting medico-legal examination within six hours of the incident.
The new ordinance also makes responsible to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to ensure registration of sexual offenders.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had approved, in principle, a law for the chemical castration of rapists.
The decision was made during a federal cabinet meeting wherein the law ministry presented a draft of the anti-rape ordinance. The draft includes increasing women’s role in policing, fast-tracking rape cases and witness protection.
