Anti-Rape Act 2021 (Bare Act)

The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021 with The Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act, 2020 (Bare Act — As Amended Up-to-Date)
By Salman Mansoor, Advocate | Pakistan's Landmark Legal Framework for Sexual Violence Cases

Few areas of criminal law have seen as significant a legislative overhaul in recent years as the investigation and trial of sexual offences in Pakistan. This edition brings together two closely connected statutes — The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021 and The Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act, 2020 — in a single Bare Act, As Amended Up-to-Date, compiled by Salman Mansoor, Advocate, and published by Mansoor Law Book House.

Why This Bare Act is Essential

The Anti-Rape Act was enacted to expeditiously address matters concerning sexual violence and abuse against women and children, establishing dedicated Special Courts, Anti-Rape Crisis Cells, and Special Sexual Offences Investigation Units (SSOIUs) in each district. It introduces survivor-centric procedures — including in-camera trials, independent support advisers, victim and witness protection, and mandatory compensation provisions — that mark a significant departure from earlier criminal procedure. The companion Zainab Alert Act establishes a rapid-response mechanism for missing and abducted children. Rules under both statutes have continued to develop since enactment, making an accurate, up-to-date bare act essential for anyone working with this fast-evolving area of law.

Key Features & Statutory Coverage

• Special Courts & Procedure: Provisions establishing Special Courts with dedicated jurisdiction over scheduled sexual offences.
• Investigation Framework: Statutory basis for Special Sexual Offences Investigation Units and detailed evidence collection procedures.
• Victim Protection Measures: Provisions on in-camera trial, victim and witness protection, independent support advisers, and compensation to victims.
• Anti-Rape Crisis Cells: Framework for establishing crisis cells in public hospitals to support survivors of sexual violence.
• Zainab Alert Mechanism: Complete text of the companion Act establishing rapid response procedures for missing and abducted children.
• Sex Offender Registry: Provisions requiring NADRA to maintain a register of convicted sex offenders.
• Compact, Practical Edition: A lightweight paperback format for quick statutory reference.

Ideal For:

• Advocates & Criminal Law Practitioners: Essential for lawyers handling cases before Special Courts under this Act.
• Judiciary & Special Court Judges: A core reference for adjudicating scheduled sexual offences.
• Police & Investigation Officers: Important for understanding the specialized investigation procedures mandated under the Act.
• Child Rights & Women's Rights Advocates: A key reference for understanding the current legal protections available to survivors.
• Law Students & Researchers: Valuable for coursework and research on criminal law reform in Pakistan.

About the Publisher

Published by Mansoor Law Book House, a trusted publisher of authenticated legal texts in Pakistan. This bare act edition is presented in a clear, accessible paperback format for fast, reliable statutory reference.