Pakistan issues new law for speedy trials of alleged rapists

Islamabad - PM Khan recently hinted at public executions or surgical castration of convicted rapists.

Pakistan’s president on Tuesday issued a much-awaited new law requiring the establishment of special courts to speedily conclude trials of people charged with raping women or children, a move hailed by rights activists.

The law, which must be approved by Parliament to remain in effect, requires courts to conclude the trials of alleged rapists and issue verdicts within four months. It also prohibits the disclosure of the identity of rape victims, according to a statement released by President Arif Alvi’s office on Twitter.

The statement provided few additional details. Leading Pakistani English-language newspaper The Dawn reported that under the new law any official who shows negligence in investigating rape cases could face a three-year prison sentence. The paper also reported that repeat offenders could be chemically castrated.

The development comes months after Prime Minister Imran Khan promised to remove flaws in existing laws to ensure speedy justice for rape victims. The law issued by Alvi will lapse if Parliament does not approve it within 120 days.