A bill proposing public hanging for rape offenders was rejected in the Senate on Monday by a vote of 24 to 14.
In an unusual occurrence, all three main political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), banded together to reject Senator Mushtaq Ahmad of Jamaat-i-Islami's motion for speedy consideration of the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023.
PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman was the first to react to the idea, which sought to bring public executions for rapists through modifications to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Criminal Procedure Code.
"The People's Party has always taken a principled stance against the death penalty, whether in public or privately. While the PPP strongly condemns rape as a horrible and serious crime, she said that advocating for the death sentence or public executions, as seen in other countries, has not been beneficial in preventing sexual assaults.
"If public hanging is advocated for one crime, it will be demanded for other offenses as well," she added.
PML-N leader Senator Irfanul Haq Siddiqui also rejected the proposed legislation, citing unfavorable perceptions of Pakistan due to extremism, violence, oppression, and harassment of women.
He stated that the seriousness of the offense required harsh punishment. However, he disagreed with Sherry Rehman's position on the elimination of capital punishment. Senator Siddiqui stated that public hangings would not benefit children or society as a whole.
He was concerned that the new legislation would harm Pakistan's worldwide image and foster brutality.
Ishaq Dar, Leader of the House in the Senate, emphasized that the penalty for the offense was already in the law and opposed the revision to the point of public hanging.
PPP Senator Taj Haider emphasized the importance of reforming the criminal justice and prison systems, which includes teaching incarcerated prisoners to become responsible citizens. He believed that respect for humanity may assist in transforming society, and he saw that public hangings eroded such regard.
Barrister Ali Zafar of the PTI also rejected the proposed legislation, calling for a stronger inquiry and prosecution mechanism.
Tahir Bizenjo of the National Party stated that executions would be unnecessary if justice was provided and the core causes of crime were addressed.
Former Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shahadat Awan stated that public hanging would violate the dignity of man provided by Article 14 of the constitution.