Pakistan's Punjab logs 1.95 lakh GBV cases in 5 years, 82% of national total
Synopsis
Pakistan's most populous province, Punjab, logged nearly 1.96 lakh cases of violence against women and girls over five years — 82% of the country's entire GBV caseload — even as annual figures more than doubled from 23,032 in 2021 to 56,613 in 2025. With conviction rates low and legislation largely unenforceable, the data exposes a systemic failure that goes well beyond policing.
Key Takeaways
Punjab province recorded 195,787 GBV cases between 2021 and 2025 , nearly 82% of Pakistan's national total.
Domestic violence accounted for 14,824 cases, including 3,746 killings; 830 honour killings were also documented.
Sexual violence cases stood at 20,560 , including 16,827 rapes and 2,183 gang-rape incidents.
Kidnapping and abduction was the single largest category at 90,965 cases.
Annual cases more than doubled from 23,032 in 2021 to 56,613 in 2025.
The report cautioned that police data covers only formally reported cases, likely undercounting the true scale of violence.
Pakistan's Punjab province recorded 195,787 cases of violence against women and girls between 2021 and 2025, representing nearly 82 per cent of all gender-based violence (GBV) cases reported across the country during the five-year period, according to the National Gender-Based Violence Crime Report 2021-25 by the Peace and Justice Network Pakistan. The figures, cited by local media, paint a stark picture of entrenched violence even as Pakistan has enacted anti-rape and domestic violence legislation in recent years.
Scale of Reported Violence
Punjab documented 14,824 cases of domestic violence over the five years, of which 3,746 involved the killing of women. The province also recorded 830 honour killings and 442 burning cases — comprising 143 acid attacks and 299 stove-burning incidents, according to the report.
Sexual violence emerged as a major category, with 20,560 cases reported. These included 16,827 rape cases, 2,183 gang-rape cases, 189 instances of custodial sexual violence, and 1,361 incest cases. Kidnapping and abduction constituted the single largest reported category at 90,965 cases, while 68,165 additional cases fell under other, unclassified forms of gender-based violence.
A Sharply Rising Trend
The year-on-year data reveals a troubling upward trajectory. Punjab recorded 23,032 cases in 2021, rising to 28,080 in 2022 and 35,238 in 2023. The figure then surged significantly to 52,824 in 2024 and climbed further to 56,613 in 2025 — more than doubling over the five-year window. Analysts caution, however, that part of the increase may reflect improved reporting rather than an absolute rise in incidents.
Notably, the report warned that police data captures only formally reported incidents, leaving the true extent of violence against women and girls potentially far higher than official numbers suggest.
Legislation Has Not Translated to Outcomes
Despite the passage of anti-rape legislation, domestic violence laws, and several amendments addressing crimes against women, prevention measures and conviction rates in GBV-related cases in Pakistan remain low, according to reporting in The Friday Times. Lack of political will, deep-seated stereotypes, societal taboos, and a judicial process riddled with procedural complexities have together blunted the effect of legal reform, critics argue.
'If we are serious about nipping GBV in the bud, the whole 'ecosystem' nurturing violence against women must be disabled... GBV is a deep-rooted, multi-faceted challenge in our society, stemming from individual attitudes, family dynamics, community norms, and so much more, and hence requires a commitment to multi-sectoral approaches before we can even cause a dent in this scourge,' the report stated.
Calls for a Multi-Sectoral Response
A separate report released last month called for an effective multi-sectoral approach to combat GBV in Pakistan, noting that the problem is rooted in individual attitudes, family dynamics, and community norms simultaneously. Authorities have made some efforts, critics acknowledge, but observers argue these are neither sufficient in scale nor structured to produce measurable results.
With annual case numbers now approaching 57,000 in Punjab alone, pressure is mounting on federal and provincial governments to move beyond legislation and invest in enforcement, survivor support infrastructure, and judicial reform.
Point of View
Yet conviction rates remain negligible; the gap between statute and outcome is where women are paying with their lives. The year-on-year doubling of reported cases raises a legitimate question of whether this reflects genuine deterioration or improved registration — but in the absence of a credible survivor-support ecosystem, it likely reflects both. A figure of 82% of national GBV burden concentrated in a single province also points to a data collection and accountability vacuum in the rest of the country, not necessarily a Punjab-specific crisis.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gender-based violence cases were reported in Pakistan's Punjab from 2021 to 2025?
Punjab recorded 195,787 cases of violence against women and girls between 2021 and 2025, according to the National Gender-Based Violence Crime Report 2021-25 by the Peace and Justice Network Pakistan. This represented nearly 82 per cent of all GBV cases reported across Pakistan during the same period.
What types of violence were most commonly reported in Punjab?
Kidnapping and abduction was the largest single category with 90,965 cases, followed by other unclassified GBV forms (68,165 cases), sexual violence (20,560 cases), and domestic violence (14,824 cases). The province also documented 830 honour killings and 442 burning cases, including 143 acid attacks.
Why are GBV conviction rates low in Pakistan despite existing laws?
Critics point to lack of political will, entrenched societal taboos, stereotypes, and a judicial process complicated by procedural hurdles as key barriers to enforcement. Anti-rape and domestic violence laws have been passed, but they have not translated into measurable improvements in prosecution or prevention outcomes, according to reports.
Has violence against women in Punjab been increasing year on year?
Yes. Reported cases rose from 23,032 in 2021 to 56,613 in 2025 — more than doubling over five years. The sharpest jump occurred between 2023 and 2024, when cases leapt from 35,238 to 52,824. Analysts note that part of the increase may reflect better reporting, though the underlying trend remains deeply concerning.
What approach do experts recommend to address GBV in Pakistan?
Experts and advocacy groups call for a coordinated multi-sectoral response that addresses individual attitudes, family dynamics, and community norms simultaneously — rather than relying on legislation alone. They argue the entire social 'ecosystem' that enables violence against women must be dismantled through sustained investment in enforcement, survivor support, and judicial reform.
