Punjab moves one step closer to enforcing strict law against acid attacks

• Up to 3-year jail, 0.5m fine proposed for acid sale sans licence.
• Licenced vendors to incur liability for negligence with up to 1m fine.
• Licence required for sale of 30 highly corrosive, reactive chemicals.

LAHORE: As Pakistani women continue to face innumerable socio-cultural hurdles and issues, the Punjab government has moved one step closer to mitigating these adverse circumstances by virtue of taking a key step towards introducing strict laws against acid attacks.

Punjab Assembly's Standing Committee on Home Affairs has approved the final draft of the "Punjab Acid Control Act 2025" — making it the country's first-ever comprehensive legislation focused exclusively on regulating the sale, distribution, and use of acid, and deterring acid-related violence, The News reported on Wednesday.

The law, which can be termed a milestone in its domain, is expected to play a critical role in preventing acid attacks and ensuring accountability at every level of the acid supply chain.

The prospective law, as per the documents, imposes stringent conditions on the sale of acid, recognising the role of unregulated acid distribution in the proliferation of chemical assaults.

Selling acid without obtaining a valid licence from the Deputy Commissioner, who will act as the Licencing Authority under this law, will be a non-bailable criminal offence, punishable by up to three years in prison along with a monetary fine of up to Rs 500,000.

If the fine is not paid, the offender will face an additional three months of imprisonment. Even licensed acid vendors will be held strictly liable for negligence in handling or selling acid, with penalties ranging from a minimum of two years to a maximum of five years in prison and fines between Rs200,000 and Rs 1 million.

The Punjab Home Department has been designated as the administrative body responsible for implementing the act, while formal notification will be issued by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD).

Speaking on the proposed law, Punjab Women Protection Authority (PWPA) Chairperson Hinaz Pervez Butt has termed the step a major step towards the protection of women and the weaker sections of the society.

Speaking on Geo News programme "Geo Pakistan" on Wednesday, the PWPA head underscored the need for stringent regularisation of the sale and purchase of acid as its availability in nominal and small quantities made it easier to use in acid attacks.

Acknowledging weak implementation of laws, Butt called for effective follow-ups and strict punishment in cases involving violence against women and said that the PWPA has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Punjab Prosecutor General office to address the legal hurdles and ensure swift justice in such cases.

While admitting the delay in treatment and lack of sufficient health facilities to cater to acid attack victims, she said that they were trying to ensure that at least one burn unit with satisfactory facilities is available in all 36 districts of the province for acid victims.

On the issue of hurdles posed by legal formalities in rape and such cases, she said that a first information report (FIR) must be immediately registered and victims of violence, acid attacks and rape must be admitted and treated in hospitals immediately without any hurdle and delay.

Calling for a public awareness campaign via tweaks to the curriculum and other means, the PWPA chief pointed out that the Punjab Acid Control Act 2025 makes selling acid without a licence a non-bailable offence.

'Victim-centric law'

The legislation also includes a pivotal victim-centric provision i.e., where an acid attack occurs as a result of negligence by the acid seller, the seller will be legally bound to compensate the victim. The amount of compensation will be determined by the court under the relevant provision of the act.

This move not only tightens the commercial regulation of hazardous substances but also strengthens avenues for justice and restitution for survivors of acid violence.

Under the proposed legislation, a licence will be mandatory for the sale of 30 highly corrosive and reactive chemicals. These include nitric acid, aqua regia, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, perchloric acid, hydriodic acid, hydrobromic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, hydrofluoric acid and formaldehyde.

Also, the licence would also be needed for those selling chromic acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, strontium hydroxide, amide metal, acetal chloride, anhydrous phenols, caustic soda, carbolic acid, calcium hydroxide, anhydrous halogens, zinc chloride, sodium hypochlorite, caustic potash, dimethyl sulfate, benzyl chloroformate, and sodium hydride.

The legislation outlines strict compliance procedures for acid sellers. Each container must be clearly labelled at the time of packaging, with information including the name and type of the acid, the name, address, and licence number of the seller, the quality and quantity of the acid, and its manufacturing and expiry dates. 

Acid vendors will be required to maintain comprehensive records of all transactions and inventory in a standardised format under Form IV, which must be submitted annually to the licensing authority.

Failure to maintain these records or to provide them upon request may result in suspension or revocation of the licence. Manufacturers and importers of acid are also brought under the ambit of the new law. 

They too must apply for and obtain licences, and they will be subject to the same regulatory oversight as sellers. In case of loss or destruction of the original licence, a provision has been made for applying for a duplicate licence, which will be reissued only after due diligence and verification by the concerned authority.

PWPA part of enforcement framework

The Deputy Commissioner, as the Licencing Authority, will have broad powers under the act, including the ability to suspend or cancel a licence based on non-compliance, negligence, or criminal liability.

A particularly significant clause of the act states that if a licence holder is convicted under sections 332, 336A, or 336B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) sections which pertain to grievous bodily harm and disfigurement through chemical substances their licence will be automatically cancelled from the date of conviction.

The act also provides a clear appeals mechanism. If an applicant is denied a licence by the Deputy Commissioner, they can appeal the decision to the Divisional Commissioner.

Should the appeal be rejected at that level, a final appeal can be made to the Home Secretary Punjab, ensuring procedural fairness and a transparent chain of accountability. In a strategic institutional development, the government has decided to designate the Women Protection Authority as a subsidiary body under the Punjab Home Department to support the implementation and enforcement of the new law.

A summary to this effect has already been forwarded to the Chief Minister for approval. The Authority, currently chaired by Butt, will play a central role in coordinating between the Home Department and law enforcement agencies, particularly in cases of violence against women.

This structural change is aimed at strengthening the institutional response to crimes involving acid attacks and chemical assaults, which disproportionately affect women.

With the integration of the Women Protection Authority into the enforcement framework, the government seeks to ensure that victims receive not only legal redress but also protection, support, and rehabilitation. The passage and implementation of the Punjab Acid Control Act 2025 represents a significant legislative milestone, not just for Punjab but for the entire country.