A bill was submitted to the Punjab Assembly on Thursday which aimed at regulating the purchase of acid to curb the rise of acid attacks on women and girls. The bill was introduced by PML-N MPA Hina Parveez Butt, who is also the head of the Punjab Women Protection Authority.
According to the Express Tribune, acid vendors will be required to seek a permit from the Deputy Commissioner from their respective district, to receive a license that will be valid for two years.
Any vendor who fails to register their business with a license would be charged within 120 days would be charged with a penalty and a fine. The bill will also prohibit the purchase of acid for individuals under 18.
Pakistan has seen the worst acid attack cases inflicted upon women in the past years. On September 3, three female members of a family suffered horrific burns from an acid attack in Muzaffargarh. According to Dawn, the accused Imran and Irfan, sons of Bashir Ahmed, entered the house of Kalsoom Bibi, and threw acid on her and her daughter, Sawera and neice, Sania.
In May, a police woman from Karachi was left with severe injuried after her husband threw acid on her near the Saeedabad police station. According to Dawn, an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect Ameen by the police.
