With the burning and acid incidents on the rise, a bill was passed in National Assembly to bring justice to the victims of burns and acid attacks. It says that the suspects should be remanded into custody for 14 days and the investigation to be completed in 60 days. The bill also suggests that anyone facilitating such attacks should also get a minimum three-year prison term. A police officer of inspector rank should investigate such cases, while the ones harassing any witnesses and the victim should also be sentenced to two years and fined, the bill sought.
The proposed legislation offers free medical treatment and rehabilitation for acid burn victims, besides outlining a process for conducting trials of accused in the shortest possible time.
The acid attacks have been an ongoing problem in Pakistan and there are various NGOs that help the acid attack victims. One such organization is Smile Again by Masarrat Misbah of Depilex, her organization has been helping acid attack victims and is working towards removing the stigma attached to it. Ever since its inception, Smile Again has helped girls and as of now, they have more than 850 girls registered with them, all of them are going through different stages of their procedures. Even though there are many that haven’t been able to reach the Foundation or vice versa; they do not stop looking for victims who need their assistance.
