LAHORE: Students from over 20 schools and universities of Lahore on Friday discussed the state of acid crime in Pakistan and what the government had been able to do to curb acid violence.
The event, divided into two sections- speeches and panel discussion- was organised by Beaconhouse Law Society at its Defence campus.
The topic for discussion was: Acid violence- the failings of the Pakistani legal system in tackling the problem. What are the possible legal solutions and their effectiveness with regard to counteraction, regulation and rehabilitation of victims?
Thinking loud
According to the school management, the purpose of the exercise was to inculcate reasoning and critical thinking among students and creating awareness about the Pakistani legal system.
Fatima Kausar, an A-levels student, said that acid was a “pernicious weapon” and its sale should be strictly regulated. She stressed the need for buyers to be registered with the government and required to disclose the purpose of every purchase. She said there was also a need for safety procedures to prevent theft and illegal sale.
“There is evidence that acid attacks occur more frequently in areas where acid is widely used for industrial or commercial purposes. Businesses that use acid can play a role in preventing its abuse.”
Mahnoor Ahmed, a student of National Grammar School, said that a zero tolerance policy should be adopted in cases of acid crime.
Individuals found aiding and abetting such crime must be considered equally guilty, she said.
Ahmed said a minimum of 10 years imprisonment should be legislated for those found guilty.
“There should be little or no chance of parole,” she said.
Learning through discussion
The speeches and presentations were followed by an interaction between a panel of experts on the topic. The experts told students about their work and about problems they had faced.
Valarie Khan, a French human rights activist and Acid Survivors Foundation chairperson, said acid crime was a global phenomenon.
She said acid violence was the worst and extreme form of gender-based violence in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
“A holistic response is needed to address this issue,” she said.
Ayesha Tasleem, legal head at Depilex Smile Again Foundation, said that an important aspect of the issue was gender equity that had been neglected in education imparted to men and women. Education with a mindset change is imperative to curb this crime, she added.
Lawyer Saad Rasul said there was a large gap between the current legal framework and an ideal system. He said while there were laws to register acid violence as an offence, safeguards and measures to prevent and prosecute after were absent.
Gulraiz Zulfikar, a fellow at the American Joint Cancer Committee, said several acid burns were treatable at acid burn centres functioning under non government organisations, government and the army. “Survivors do not seek sympathy, but they need restoration of self-esteem,” he said.
The panellists said that a strong retributive punishment was not the solution to the problem. They advocated life sentences for convicts.
Law Society president Ayza Ishaq, who moderated the discussion session, said that law students needed to be part of something “bigger than themselves”.
“We need to study, analyse and act.”
She said Pakistan was not short on conflicts and problems and that being a true Pakistani meant not just bringing up these problems, but also pledging support to those affected by it.