PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari opposed death sentence for criminals involved in sexual assaults on children, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior was told on Monday.

Nafeesa Khattak says Bilawal insisted on life term for such criminals

Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak told the committee that Bilawal, who is chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights, insisted on life term for criminals involved in child abuse.

Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz presided over the committee meeting where lawmakers discussed the criminal law presented by James Iqbal. The committee was briefed about the laws prevalent in different countries for criminals involved in child abuse.

Qadir Patel asked, how many centres for treatment of mentally-ill people have been set up? Nawaz said everyone is well aware of conditions inside prisons. He said there is no protection for children in jails. He said the ministry has approved the Zainab Alert Bill to be sent to stakeholders and the Council of Islamic Ideology.

Committee member Agha Rafiullah said that legislation should not be motivated by emotions; it should be motivated by social realities. Later, the committee sought reply from the provinces on the bill.