The Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) has released its latest report, "Mapping Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Pakistan 2024," providing a province-wise analysis of rape, honour killings, kidnapping/abduction, and domestic violence across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
The report highlights the alarming scale of GBV cases and the extremely low conviction rates, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms in law enforcement and the judicial system.
According to the report, a total of 32,617 GBV cases were reported nationwide in 2024. These include 5,339 incidents of rape, 24,439 incidents of kidnapping/abduction, 2,238 incidents of domestic violence, and 547 cases of honor killings.
Despite these figures, conviction rates remain critically low across all provinces. The national conviction rate for rape stands at just 0.5%, while honor killings also see only 0.5% convictions. Kidnapping and abduction cases have an even lower conviction rate of 0.1%, while domestic violence cases result in convictions just 1.3% of the time.
Punjab recorded the highest number of GBV cases, with a total of 26,753. The province reported 225 honor killing cases, but only two convictions. In cases of rape, Punjab had 4,641 reported incidents, yet the conviction rate stood at merely 0.4%. Kidnapping and abduction cases were alarmingly high at 20,720, with only 16 convictions. Domestic violence cases totaled 1,167, with just three convictions.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 3,397 GBV cases were recorded. Honor killings accounted for 134 cases, with two convictions. The province reported 258 rape cases, with just one conviction. Kidnapping and abduction cases stood at 943, with only one conviction. Domestic violence cases in KP totaled 446, but no convictions were recorded.
Sindh registered 1,781 GBV cases. Honor killings accounted for 134 cases, but none resulted in convictions. The province recorded 243 rape cases, again with no convictions. Kidnapping and abduction cases were reported at 2,645, yet no convictions were made. Domestic violence cases stood at 375, with no justice served in terms of convictions.
Balochistan had a total of 398 GBV cases. The province recorded 32 cases of honor killings, with just one conviction. Rape cases were reported at 21, with zero convictions. Kidnapping and abduction cases stood at 185, yet no convictions were recorded. Domestic violence cases were reported at 160, with 25 convictions—the highest among all provinces for this category.
Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) reported 220 GBV cases. Honor killings accounted for 22 cases, with no convictions. The capital recorded 176 rape cases, with only seven convictions. Data on kidnapping and abduction cases was not provided by the prosecution department. Domestic violence cases stood at 22, with no convictions recorded.
Syed Kausar Abbas, executive director of SSDO, stated that the report, based on data obtained from provincial police departments through Right of Access to Information (RTI) laws, provides an analysis of GBV cases reported in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan during 2024.
He stressed the urgent need for meaningful reforms to protect survivors and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. Emphasizing that every survivor deserves justice, he called for improvements in police investigations, legal procedures, and trial efficiency to prevent lengthy delays that hinder justice.
He urged government institutions, civil society, and legal bodies to work together to create a system where survivors feel safe, supported, and empowered to seek justice.
Shahid Jatoi, Director Programs at SSDO, highlighted that the report’s findings reveal deep-rooted issues in Pakistan’s criminal justice system. The abysmally low conviction rates, such as 0.5% for rape and honor killings nationwide, reflect weak investigations, inadequate evidence collection, societal stigma, and a lack of judicial accountability.
He pointed out that the justice system is failing to address the scale of gender-based violence, leaving survivors vulnerable and perpetrators largely unpunished.
Limited access to legal aid, prolonged trial durations, and cultural pressures that discourage reporting or pursuing cases further exacerbate the crisis. Urgent and comprehensive reforms are needed to align Pakistan’s criminal justice system with the severity of these offenses.
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