Pakistan’s Ministry of Law and Justice, in collaboration with NADRA and the National Police Bureau (NPB), launched the country’s first National Sex Offenders Register on Tuesday. This initiative aims to curb sexual violence by creating a system accessible to institutions and law enforcement.
Under Section 24 of the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021, NADRA was assigned to maintain records of sex offenders. The Ministry of Law and Justice and a Special Committee formed in September 2023 finalized the rules for managing the register.
This Special Committee is also in charge of overseeing legal actions against sexual violence, including the administration of the register. NADRA designed and piloted the system, which is now managed by the National Police Bureau. The Bureau will work with provincial law enforcement agencies to ensure smooth operation.
At the launch event, Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Anti-Rape Special Committee Chairperson, emphasized that the register will track convicted offenders after their release. She added that the committee will continue to prevent further harm to survivors and strengthen cooperation among agencies to enforce the Act effectively.
