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Summary Rehman Malik has said that the government would form committees to deal with the harassment issues.
Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik while addressing at a conference on ‘Gender Discrimination in Media and Capacity Building for Female Journalists’ arranged by National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad on Sunday said that the government would form committees at provincial level soon to implement the ‘Anti-Sexual Harassment Act’ at grass root level.He said that the committees will comprise of the Home Secretaries, members of the Women Division and the Inspector General Police as well as representation from the NPC and female journalists.The Minister emphasised on incorporating criminal liabilities in the harassment law including three years imprisonment and said that FIR must be registered against the culprit, if there is sufficient evidence and the Ombudsperson recognises it. He added that a bill would also be moved in the parliament in this regard.He said that the Interior Ministry had already established a Gender Crime Cell where anyone could register complaint from across the country.“Steps are being taken to have representation of women police in all the police stations to handle the cases of females, while women lock-ups are also being separated”, Malik said.Malik also assured the availability of women police officers 24/7 in all the police stations. He said that the gas cylinders which caused deaths of women were substandard; therefore, those who sold substandard gas cylinders would be arrested.Malik said that he has asked the Afghan President Hamid Karzai to take steps to stop extremists to enter Baluchistan.
