TLDR:
• National sex offenders register launched
• System aims to curb sexual violence
• Survivors protected through oversight measures
ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Pakistan has reached a pivotal moment in its efforts to combat sexual violence with the launch of its first National Sex Offenders Register. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Law and Justice in collaboration with NADRA and the National Police Bureau, this initiative marks a comprehensive approach to safeguarding communities and supporting survivors. The system’s creation stems from an urgent need to establish preventive measures that hold convicted offenders accountable while promoting a more effective legal and social response to sexual crimes.
Developed under Section 24 of the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021, the register is a core component of Pakistan’s revised strategy to address sexual violence. NADRA, the national database authority, designed and tested the system, while the National Police Bureau will oversee its daily operations. The Ministry of Law and Justice, working closely with a Special Committee formed under the same Act, played a crucial role in finalising the rules in September 2023. This committee’s scope is broad: it supervises the entire framework governing sexual violence prevention, from legislation to implementation, creating a unified response mechanism.
Legislative background and the road to implementation
The journey to establishing this register was long and complex, with legal experts and policymakers working to create a robust mechanism that addresses the unique challenges of sexual violence in Pakistan. The Anti-Rape Act, 2021, enacted after widespread public outcry over high-profile sexual assault cases, introduced a series of reforms aimed at ensuring accountability and supporting survivors. The creation of the National Sex Offenders Register emerged as one of the Act’s most ambitious features, promising a systematic method to monitor offenders post-conviction.
NADRA’s role in developing the database was critical, given its expertise in handling sensitive, large-scale information systems. Once the system was deemed operational, the National Police Bureau assumed responsibility for managing the data and ensuring law enforcement agencies across Pakistan could use it effectively. This division of responsibilities aims to ensure the register is managed securely and in line with international data protection standards, while also allowing provincial police forces to maintain direct engagement with offenders and their communities.
Ensuring confidentiality and balancing public safety
Despite the register’s scope and significance, its data will remain strictly confidential, accessible only to authorised law enforcement officials. This aspect of the system has sparked debate: advocates for transparency argue that public access could serve as a deterrent, while privacy experts warn of potential misuse and the risks of stigmatising offenders beyond their prison sentences. The Ministry of Law and Justice has defended the decision to restrict access, citing the need to balance public safety with rehabilitation and legal fairness.
Convicted sex offenders must now adhere to stringent reporting requirements. They are obliged to notify the police of any changes to their personal details, including name and address, and to report any plans to travel domestically or internationally. Failure to comply with these obligations will result in legal repercussions, reinforcing the message that sexual violence cannot be met with leniency.
Survivor support and system-wide reforms
The unveiling of the National Sex Offenders Register forms part of a broader framework designed to transform Pakistan’s approach to handling sexual violence. Chairperson of the Anti-Rape Special Committee, Ayesha Raza Farooq, delivered a compelling speech at the launch ceremony, highlighting the transformative potential of the new system. “The establishment of the National Sex Offenders Register is a major milestone under the Anti-Rape Act, 2021,” she stated. Farooq stressed the necessity of continued collaboration between government bodies, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to ensure the Act’s effectiveness and to continually improve survivor protection measures.
This system is integrated with a network of anti-rape crisis cells, which have been set up across the country to provide immediate support to survivors. Specialised investigation units, staffed by trained officers who understand the sensitivities of sexual violence cases, work alongside these crisis cells. Furthermore, the Act has established designated prosecutors and special courts to handle cases swiftly and sensitively, aiming to address long-standing delays and inefficiencies in the criminal justice system.
Community Protection Advisor Omar Bashir Maniar outlined how this multi-layered approach seeks to break the cycle of violence. Maniar emphasised that the register, combined with other reforms, would reduce reoffending and prevent the retraumatisation of survivors. He pointed to the importance of collecting comprehensive data from every district to identify patterns of violence and implement evidence-based prevention strategies.
The societal impact and future challenges
Despite the system’s potential, experts acknowledge that the battle against sexual violence is far from over. The initiative’s success hinges on sustained political commitment, adequate funding, and a cultural shift in societal attitudes toward sexual violence. Critics have raised concerns about implementation, particularly in rural areas where law enforcement resources may be stretched thin. Additionally, there are fears that cultural taboos surrounding sexual violence could hinder survivors from coming forward, despite the new support systems in place.
The launch ceremony, attended by government officials, civil society representatives, and international NGOs, concluded with a Q&A session, shedding light on some of these concerns. Ayesha Raza Farooq and other officials fielded questions about resource allocation, inter-agency collaboration, and the government’s plans to address potential shortcomings. The event wrapped up with a gesture of gratitude, as key figures involved in the project were presented with gift vouchers, symbolising the collaborative effort behind this landmark initiative.