Pakistan Reports 25% Surge in Gender-Based Crimes as New Data Reveals Zero Convictions in Islamabad
Pakistan is confronting a deeply troubling rise in violence against women, with new data revealing a 25% increase in gender-based crimes during the first 11 months of 2025. The findings, released by Sahil, an organisation monitoring violence against women and children, were widely reported by Pakistani media on Tuesday.
The surge adds urgency to growing concerns about systemic justice failures in cases of rape, abduction and physical abuse — exposing gaps in investigation, prosecution, and victim protection.
Key Arguments
According to Sahil’s report, Pakistan recorded 6,543 incidents of violence against women in 2025, compared to 5,253 cases in 2024. The data, collected from 81 national newspapers covering all provinces, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB), paints a grim picture of women’s safety across the country.
Breakdown of Crimes Reported (Jan–Nov 2025):
- 1,414 cases of murder
- 1,144 cases of abduction
- 1,060 cases of physical assault
- 649 suicide cases
- 585 rape cases
The report reveals that in 32% of rape cases, the perpetrator was known to the survivor, while 17% involved strangers. Husbands were implicated in 12% of the incidents, reflecting the prevalence of domestic sexual violence.
An alarming 60% of all gender-based violence occurred within victims’ homes, indicating that women remain most vulnerable in spaces presumed to be safe. Another 13% of cases took place in the perpetrator's home.
Counterpoints
While the rise in reporting of crimes could indicate better awareness, transparency, and media monitoring, human rights groups argue that increased reporting is meaningless without justice.
This concern was highlighted earlier in November when the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) released a factsheet on violence against women in Islamabad — and the numbers were staggering.
Islamabad’s 2025 Figures (Jan–June):
- 373 total cases of violence against women
- 309 cases of rape and kidnapping (83%)
- 42 cases of physical abuse
- 17 harassment cases
- 3 cybercrime cases
- 2 honour killings
- Zero convictions recorded
Despite hundreds of FIRs, not a single case led to conviction. Many were withdrawn before reaching trial, while others collapsed due to weak evidence, faulty investigations, and lack of prosecutorial follow-through.
SSDO’s statement bluntly noted:
“Zero convictions despite hundreds of reported cases demonstrates failure of authorities in evidence handling, victim protection and judicial efficiency.”
The organisation emphasised that the justice system is failing survivors at every stage — from police response to legal prosecution.
SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas called the findings “alarming,” adding that systemic weaknesses are denying justice to victims across Pakistan.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s escalating violence against women, paired with the justice system’s inability to secure convictions, highlights a crisis far deeper than yearly crime statistics. It demonstrates a breakdown of institutional responsibility — where survivors are left without protection, perpetrators evade accountability, and public trust in governance continues to erode.
Without urgent reforms, including improved policing, stronger prosecution frameworks, witness protection, and gender-sensitive legal processes, Pakistan risks normalising an environment where crimes against women are reported — but never punished.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
The disturbing rise in crimes against women in Pakistan is not just a statistical concern — it is a profound human rights failure. While civil society organisations continue to expose the gravity of the situation, the absence of convictions reflects a justice system that is failing survivors when they need it the most. Real change will require systemic reform, political will, and a cultural shift that prioritises women’s safety and dignity. Without this, the cycle of violence and impunity will remain unbroken.