Punjab Assembly in Pakistan passes landmark acid control law

Pakistan's largest provincial legislature approved a bill on Tuesday aimed at curbing acid attacks through stricter regulations on acid sales and distribution.

The Punjab Assembly passed the Acid Control Bill 2025 after it received approval from the Standing Committee on Home Affairs last Monday. The legislation now awaits the governor's signature to become law.

The bill requires all individuals and businesses selling acid to obtain a license from their district's deputy commissioner or a government-appointed officer. Vendors who fail to secure proper documentation within 120 days of the law's implementation will face a minimum fine of PKR 100,000.

Acid attacks, which cause severe disfigurement and suffering, have been a persistent problem in Pakistan, with advocates long calling for tighter controls on the sale of caustic substances.

Stringent regulation

Acid dealers must undergo physical verification of business premises before licenses will be granted and submit regular stock reports to licensing authorities, according to new regulations. False reporting may result in fines, business closure and stock confiscation.

The legislation restricts acid storage to approved locations, prohibits sales to anyone under 18 and requires biennial license renewals in July. All products must be sold in properly sealed containers with clearly visible hazard warnings and safety instructions.

The government aims to prevent acid-related violence by formalizing regulations through awareness campaigns, inspections and stringent record-keeping, closing loopholes that previously allowed easy access.

Strong implementation expected

Gul Hassan Abbas, Executive Director at Initiatives for Sustainable Development (IFSD) and Board Member of the Punjab Women Protection Authority, expressed confidence in the new legislation's impact.

"After this legislation, the graph of acid attacks in Punjab will decrease," Abbas stated. "Our baseline study reveals that the biggest reason behind large number of acid attacks in Punjab is its easy availability."

He highlighted that the law targets a common pattern where "perpetrators would use minors to buy acid," explaining that implementation would be facilitated through the home department's direct involvement.

"We are hopeful that there will be strong implementation of this law throughout the province," he added, noting that monitoring would occur through the women protection authority, as the bill was tabled by its chairperson, Hina Pervez Butt.

Years of effort

The Punjab Acid Control Bill originated in 2019 when Initiatives for Sustainable Development (IFSD), with support from The Asia Foundation, drafted legislation to regulate acid sales throughout Punjab, IFSD said in a Facebook post.

The bill represents five years of advocacy efforts and collaboration among key stakeholders, including the judiciary, prosecution, police, Bar Associations, Chamber of Commerce and Punjab Assembly members.