The Pakistan National Assembly unanimously passed a bill to provide for a higher punishment for their sexual harassment and, expanding the definition of the crime to facilitate prosecution.

The draft was introduced in the house early this year by then information minister Sherry Rehman, who won special plaudits from both sides of the house during speeches after the bill. The bill which was already approved by a 16-member standing committee on law with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani cited as its minister-in-charge was passed without a debate.

Some members from the both treasury and opposition benches voiced fears about the possibility of misuse of the new law, particularly in rural areas to settle scores. However, some others dismissed such concerns and called for an effective implementation, possibly with amendments in other relevant law and rules governing police.

A statement of objects and reasons accompanying the new bill states that:

Harassment is one of the most common issues faced by the women of Pakistan. They face intimidation in the marketplace, in buses, at bus stops and at workplace.

This amendment will not only make public and work environment safer for women but will open up the path for more women to pursue livelihood with dignity. It will reduce poverty as more and more women will get the courage to enter the job market.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill amends both the Pakistan Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, increasing the punishment for the crime to up to three years in prison and a fine of up to Rs500,000 from up to one year and unspecified fine already provided in the PPC for a vague ‘insult (to) the modesty of a woman’.

The Bill must be passed by the Pakistan Senate as well to become law.