Before granting bail, courts must assess potential risks to the victim, including threats or harm from the accused.
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly on Tuesday gave its nod to the Anti-Rape (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which declares that sexual assault, physical abuse and child exploitation are non-bailable.
Under the provisions of the anti-rape amendment, law enforcement agencies must ensure that child victims undergo a medical examination by a certified forensic expert within 24 hours.
The law also requires strict safeguards to protect the dignity, privacy and safety of victims during the process. Forensic evidence collected during the examinations will form part of the investigation.
The amendment further stipulates that courts will not grant bail in such cases except in extraordinary circumstances, when the best interests of the child must be carefully considered.
Before granting bail, courts must assess potential risks to the victim, including threats or harm from the accused.
A bill seeking to significantly enhance penalties for the sale, exhibition and distribution of obscene material has also been introduced in the National Assembly, marking a major legislative push to tighten existing laws under Pakistan’s Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure.
The proposed legislation, already passed by the Senate, aims to amend Sections 292, 293 and 294, along with Schedule II, to impose stricter punishments for crimes involving books, drawings, paintings, pictures, sculptures and other obscene materials.
Lawmakers said the measure aims to curb the growing circulation and public display of such content.
Under the proposed amendments, the penalty for displaying or selling obscene material would increase from the current three months to up to two years in prison.
In addition to jail time, violators could face fines of up to Rs 200,000. The bill also proposes a two-year prison sentence for persons involved in the import, export or transportation of obscene articles for commercial purposes.
The legislation further expands the scope of penalties by criminalizing advertisements related to the procurement of obscene material. Those found guilty of advertising such content could face up to two years in prison and a fine of 200,000 rupees. Special emphasis has been placed on the protection of minors.
The bill proposes that selling, renting, distributing or displaying obscene material to persons under 20 years of age would carry a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of Rs 100,000.
Lawmakers described this provision as a necessary safeguard against exposing young people to inappropriate content.
Additionally, the bill introduces penalties for public behavior considered obscene. Engaging in obscene acts, singing obscene songs or using explicit language in public places could result in up to six months in prison and a fine of Rs 100,000.
Minister of State for Federal Education and Vocational Training Wajiha Qamar briefed the assembly on ongoing efforts to address the problem of out-of-school children, estimated at around 26 million across the country.
He highlighted initiatives such as the “No Child Left Behind” campaign, which includes door-to-door surveys, accelerated learning programs and technical education pathways aimed at improving enrollment and retention.
He said the government is also working with institutions such as the National Human Development Commission to expand access to education, including in remote and underserved areas.
Qamar informed the house that the government was encouraging seminaries across the country, including Balochistan, to register with the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE) to facilitate them through modern educational and technical support programmes.
Responding to a call-out notice filed by MNA Naeema Kishwer Khan on the problems faced by madrassas in Balochistan, the minister said that the Ministry of Federal Education and Vocational Training had set up the DGRE to help registered seminaries.
This assistance includes providing teachers with a stipend, technical education opportunities and access to contemporary education along with religious instruction, he said.
