A major bill that amends the nation’s criminal laws and lowers the death penalty for defaming women to life in prison was enacted by the Senate.
The amendment was approved by a majority vote on Friday, despite harsh condemnation from opposition legislators.
The purpose of the legislation is to alter the Criminal Procedure Code of 1898 and the Pakistan Penal Code of 1860. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar vehemently defended the government’s position on modifying severe penalties, while Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry introduced it.
“Only crimes mandated by Shariah are worthy of the death penalty:” Minister of Law
Law Minister Tarar stressed in a Senate speech that only the four crimes listed in Shariah law should be punishable by death.
