ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Wednesday approved the Zainab Alert Bill by a majority, Response and Recovery Act, 2020.

The bill was presented for approval in the upper house by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Swati and was passed despite objections to some of its provisions by opposition lawmakers.

Be clear that JI’s (Jamaat-e-Islami) Siraj-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed voted against the bill, saying that they have reservations over it.

Ahmed said, “The bill does not contain a provision for a death sentence.” He also said, “A section on Qisas [eye for an eye] should be added.”

the JI lawmaker said, “Adding Sections 201 and 302 will make the bill more effective.”

On the other hand Federal Minister Shafqat Mehmood and PTI Senator Faisal Javed requested the house to pass the bill as the nation is waiting for its passage. The bill remained in discussion in the NA, standing committee and now is in Senate, we can make amendments in it in future, they added.

Later, the bill was passed with majority of votes.

Earlier on January 10, The National Assembly on Friday approved the Zainab Alert Response and Recovery Act 2019.

Through which minimum life imprisonment for offenses against children will be 10 years while 14 years maximum.

Helpline 1099 will set up.

According to the bill, Zainab Alert Response and Recovery will be set up for the emergency reporting of child abuse of age under 18.

An officer who does not respond to crimes against a child within two hours may also be punished.

The missing child will be notified immediately at the helpline.

The bill also demanded the public hanging of Victims of child abuse.