The presidential decree also provides for anti-rape cells to conduct medical examinations within six hours of filing the complaint and creates a national registry of sex offenders.
“The ordinance will help expedite cases of sexual abuse against women and children. Special courts will be set up across the country to expedite the processes and cases of rape suspects as soon as possible,” President Arif Alvi told Twitter.
“A register of perpetrators of rape will be prepared nationwide. The ordinance prohibits the identification of victims of rape and makes it a punishable crime,” he added.
Pakistan has debated harsher punishments for sex crimes following public outrage over high-profile cases, including the September rape of a woman next to a major road she was driving with her two children.
Two men were arrested in October and are in custody.
Lawmakers had considered introducing public hangings of those convicted of sexual abuse and murder of children, but the prime minister said in September that it could have cost Pakistan’s preferential trade status with the European Union.
Instead, Imran Khan said he would propose chemical castration of convicts in the most brutal rape cases.
Less than 3% of sexual assault or rape cases result in a conviction in Pakistan, according to Karachi-based group War Against Rape.
The Anti-Rape Ordinance will be in effect for four months, as it awaits parliamentary approval. The text of the decree has not yet been published, but the Justice Minister said earlier that the sentences would include the death penalty and chemical castration.
Women’s rights activists welcomed the law, but called for improved police and prosecution to ensure justice for victims of sexual violence.
“It is a welcome step,” said Salman Sufi, who has championed legislation to protect women from violence in Pakistan’s most populous province of Punjab. “But it’s a great reactive policy after the recent rise in rape reporting.”
She called for the introduction of single justice centers for rape survivors with exclusively female staff.
Fauzia Viqar, one of Pakistan’s leading women’s rights experts, called on the government to ensure gender-sensitive research and processing.
“With such a low conviction rate of 3 to 4%, don’t send a blunt message,” he said.
“The government needs to strengthen the response.”