Islamabad logs 432 sexual assault and kidnapping cases in January–May 2025
Synopsis
Pakistani police in Islamabad logged 432 cases of sexual assault and kidnapping in just five months — including a gang rape, a gunpoint assault on a minor, and a kidnapping victim found murdered in another province. The data, cited by Dawn, exposes a pattern critics attribute to systemic impunity rather than isolated incidents.
Key Takeaways
432 cases of sexual assault and kidnapping were registered in Islamabad between January and May 2025 , according to police data cited by Dawn .
55 sexual assault cases were recorded; the Soan Zone had the highest count at 15 .
377 kidnapping cases were logged; the Sadar Zone led with 99 incidents.
One kidnapping victim was found murdered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ; a 15-year-old boy was assaulted at gunpoint in Mehrban Town on 15 April .
Police filed 69 cases under Section 365 (kidnapping with intent to confine), involving 64 male and 5 female victims.
Analysts attribute the persistence of such crimes to a 'perception of impunity' and structural gaps in Pakistan's law enforcement and prosecution systems.
Pakistani police in Islamabad registered at least 432 cases of sexual assault and kidnapping between January and May 2025, according to data cited by Pakistan's leading daily Dawn. The figures, sourced from police records, point to a deepening public safety crisis in the country's capital, with victims spanning women, girls, and young boys.
Zone-wise Breakdown of Cases
Of the total, 55 cases were registered as sexual assault. The Soan Zone recorded the highest number at 15, followed by the Sadar Zone with 13, the Rural Zone with 12, the Industrial Area Zone with 9, and the City Zone with 6 cases.
The remaining 377 cases were kidnappings. The Sadar Zone topped this category with 99 incidents, followed by the Soan Zone at 89, the Rural Zone at 76, the City Zone at 44, and the Industrial Area Zone at 29.
Key Incidents During the Period
Several cases stood out for their severity. A girl was reportedly gang-raped by five persons in the area of I-16 on 19 March, while a boy was sexually assaulted by three persons in Sihala on 31 March. In a separate case on 15 April, a 15-year-old boy was assaulted at gunpoint by two persons in Mehrban Town.
Among the kidnapping cases, one victim was allegedly abducted from outside his residence in Sector F-6/1 on 4 May; his body was recovered from Mardan the following day. In another case, a victim kidnapped from Islamabad was later found murdered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Section 365 Cases and Victim Profile
Police reportedly registered 69 cases under Section 365 of Pakistan's Penal Code, which covers kidnapping or abduction with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person. The victims in these cases included 64 males and 5 females. Additionally, in 24 of the sexual assault cases, victims comprised 15 girls, three women, and a boy, according to the data.
Broader Pattern of Gender-Based Violence
The data arrives in the wake of an earlier report flagging the sexual assault of a 19-year-old mother in Islamabad's Rawat area as symptomatic of systemic failings rather than an isolated event. According to a report in Asian News Post, the persistence of sexual violence in Pakistan is closely linked to a 'perception of impunity' — where perpetrators believe they can act without facing legal consequences. Critics argue that structural weaknesses in law enforcement, prosecution, and victim support continue to undermine safety, particularly for women and children in the capital.
The latest figures are expected to intensify pressure on Pakistani authorities to strengthen investigation mechanisms, fast-track prosecutions, and address the institutional gaps that allow such crimes to persist.
Point of View
Suggesting concentrated enforcement failures rather than a city-wide problem that policing resources are spread evenly to address. The 'perception of impunity' framing cited in the Asian News Post analysis is the sharper story here: conviction rates in Pakistan's sexual violence cases remain abysmally low, and until prosecutorial outcomes change, crime data will keep climbing. The inclusion of male victims — particularly minors — also challenges the dominant policy framing of gender-based violence, which rarely centres boys and men as a demographic requiring targeted intervention.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sexual assault and kidnapping cases were registered in Islamabad in 2025?
At least 432 cases — 55 of sexual assault and 377 of kidnapping — were registered by Islamabad police between January and May 2025, according to police data reported by Dawn.
Which zone in Islamabad recorded the most crimes?
The Sadar Zone recorded the highest number of kidnapping cases at 99, while the Soan Zone led in sexual assault cases with 15 incidents during the January–May 2025 period.
What is Section 365 under which 69 cases were filed?
Section 365 of Pakistan's Penal Code pertains to kidnapping or abduction with the intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person. Of the 69 cases filed under this section, victims included 64 males and 5 females.
Why do analysts say sexual violence persists in Pakistan?
According to a report in Asian News Post, the persistence of sexual violence in Pakistan is closely linked to a 'perception of impunity' — where perpetrators believe they can escape legal consequences. Structural weaknesses in law enforcement, prosecution, and victim support are cited as key contributing factors.
Was any kidnapping victim killed?
Yes. One person kidnapped from Islamabad was reportedly found murdered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. In a separate case, a man abducted from Sector F-6/1 on 4 May had his body recovered from Mardan the following day.
