Last Change:
04/23/2025
Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences in the name or pretext of Honour) Act, 2016
Year: 2016
Type: Domestic law
Rights Category: Liberty & security of person
Description
An Act further to amend the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. Honour killings are common throughout Pakistan, claiming the lives of hundreds of victims every year. According to Aurat Foundation's statistics 432 women were reportedly killed in the name of honour in Pakistan in 2012,705 in 2011, 557 in 2010, 604 in 2009 and 475 in 2008. These figures do not include unreported cases or, indeed, the number of men who are often killed alongside women in the name of honour. Addressing the loopholes and lacunae in the existing laws is essential in order to prevent these crimes from being repeatedly committed. This Act is designed to achieve the said objective.
Selected provisions
In the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860), hereinafter referred to as the Penal Code, in section 299, after clause (e), the following new clause shall be inserted, namely:-
"(ee) "fasad-fil-arz" includes the past conduct of the offender, or whether he has any previous conviction, or the brutal or shocking manner in which the offence has been committed which is outrageous to the public conscience, or if the offender. is considered a potential danger to the community, or if the offence has been committed in the name or on the pretext of honour;".