Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has condemned the National Assembly resolution seeking public hanging for those convicted of sexual abuse and murder of children. Talking to Naya Daur, he said that such punishments were given in pre-medieval societies, but modern theories state that such harsh punishments end up brutalising the societies.
"Those who want such a severe punishment think of Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan as their ideal countries. "But can these countries be our ideal", he asked. "If we are to normalise public lynchings, then isn't the mob violence in India over beef also justified?"
The minister further said that our focus should be on preventing the crime, adding that sexual crimes cannot be deterred by such harsh punishments. "But talking about prevention is difficult in Pakistan, because for that one will have to call out some powerful elements", he told Naya Daur.
The minister went on to say that punishments like public hangings have no place in a civilised society. "We hanged Zainab's rapist. Did his hanging stop cases of child sexual abuse? Our failure to protect our kids is criminal. What are we doing to protect the children studying at madrassas or those from underprivileged backgrounds?", he said.
Fawad Chaudhry also said that the public hanging narrative is popular, but not logical. "As a politician, it is my responsibility to say what is right", he added.
"Those who want such a severe punishment think of Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan as their ideal countries. "But can these countries be our ideal", he asked. "If we are to normalise public lynchings, then isn't the mob violence in India over beef also justified?"
The minister further said that our focus should be on preventing the crime, adding that sexual crimes cannot be deterred by such harsh punishments. "But talking about prevention is difficult in Pakistan, because for that one will have to call out some powerful elements", he told Naya Daur.
The minister went on to say that punishments like public hangings have no place in a civilised society. "We hanged Zainab's rapist. Did his hanging stop cases of child sexual abuse? Our failure to protect our kids is criminal. What are we doing to protect the children studying at madrassas or those from underprivileged backgrounds?", he said.
Fawad Chaudhry also said that the public hanging narrative is popular, but not logical. "As a politician, it is my responsibility to say what is right", he added.