Overview
- Passed in a joint session chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the bill was presented by PPP lawmaker Sharmila Faruqui.
- Domestic violence now covers physical, sexual, psychological, emotional and economic abuse, including threats of divorce or second marriage, stalking and forcing a wife to live with others.
- Penalties range from six months to three years in prison with fines up to Rs100,000, with at least Rs20,000 payable as compensation and possible additional jail for non-payment.
- Courts must hold a first hearing within seven days and decide cases within 90 days, with violations of protection or residence orders punishable by up to one year in jail and a Rs100,000 fine.
- Judges may issue no-contact and distance orders, require the accused to vacate the home, order GPS tracking, maintenance and rent, award compensation, decide custody under existing law and apply the same penalties to abettors; offences are bailable, cognisable and compoundable.