NA passes bill against corporal punishment of children

The National Assembly (NA) passed on Tuesday a bill to criminalize all forms of corporal punishment at workplaces, educational institutions and rehabilitation centres in Islamabad.

The private member bill was tabled in the assembly by PML-N MNA Mehnaz Akbar Aziz. It will now be tabled in the Senate.

The bill allows the authorities to sack or suspend those violating the law.

The federal government will devise a “comprehensive system” to implement the law in registered and unregistered institutions, according to the draft.

Private institutions will have to assure the authorities that they comply with the new law. If they failed to do so, their registration would be cancelled.

The new law would also cancel provisions of Section 89 of the PPC that allows teachers and guardians to administer physical punishment “in good faith” and “for the benefit” of the child.