Section 354 Removed from Pakistan’s Anti-Rape Act 2021

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Law and Justice has officially removed Section 354 of the Pakistan Penal Code from the Anti-Rape (Investigation & Trial) Act, 2021, on Tuesday.

This decision was made following the recommendation of a special committee. Section 354, which previously dealt with assault intending to outrage a woman’s modesty, was earlier included as a scheduled offence under the Anti-Rape Act.

According to a statement from the Press Information Department, this offence was typically handled by magisterial courts and covered various assault cases involving women. However, it often did not meet the criteria for high-level sexual violence cases.

Officials noted that cases under Section 354 made up nearly 31% of those in special courts focused on rape trials, which diverted attention and resources from more serious sexual violence cases.