On August 4, 2009, the Pakistan National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, unanimously approved the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, 2008. Under the legislation, women, children and domestic employees would have been protected from physical, mental and sexual assaults. Victims would have been relocated, and those found guilty could have faced jail time and fines. The bill also would have allowed the court to direct the accused to compensate the victim for any expenses incurred. The measure was supported by the Pakistan Peoples Party of President Asif Ali Zardari. The legislation later lapsed due to the failure of the Senate to take it up within 90 days.


Pakistani coat of arms

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