The Senate of Pakistan has approved the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, making DNA testing of rape victims mandatory as part of the investigation process.
The bill, presented by Senator Humayun Mohmand, stipulates that police officials must arrange for DNA tests of rape victims at government-recognized laboratories, ideally within 72 hours of the crime. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a penalty, including up to three years in prison and a fine for the responsible police officer.
The bill was passed during the Senate session chaired by Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar. Earlier, the Senate’s Standing Committee on Interior had approved amendments to the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021, which now include mandatory DNA testing and penalties for non-compliance by law enforcement.
The amendments, which were introduced as a private member’s bill by Senator Mohmand, propose changes to Section 2 of the original law, as well as the addition of new sections 13A, 13B, and 13C, and an amendment to Section 21. These sections will make it compulsory for police officers to ensure DNA testing is carried out within the prescribed time frame. If the test is not conducted within 72 hours, the police officer is allowed up to seven days to collect the sample. If delayed beyond that, the test must be performed as soon as possible.
In addition to mandatory DNA testing, the amendments require that all DNA samples and test results be kept confidential in police records, under the control of an officer no lower than the rank of BPS-19. Failure to maintain confidentiality or failure to perform the DNA test will result in a punishment of up to three years in prison and a fine.
Senator Mohmand, who introduced these amendments in July 2023, praised the Sindh Assembly’s implementation of similar provisions in 2017, which helped law enforcement apprehend offenders involved in sexual violence. He called for the nationwide adoption of these provisions to strengthen the fight against rape and ensure justice for victims.
