Low Conviction Rates Exacerbate Domestic Violence, Rape, and Honour Killings. Pakistan faces a dire gender-based violence crisis, with over 4,000 reported rapes, more than 1,000 “honour” killings annually, and a domestic violence complaint every 20 minutes in major urban centers. Yet conviction rates for these crimes remain alarmingly low at 2-3%, often enabling perpetrators to evade justice.
Despite constitutional guarantees and legislative reforms, Pakistan continues to grapple with an unrelenting crisis of gender-based violence (GBV). From domestic abuse and sexual assault to so-called “honour” killings, the prevalence of these crimes reflects a systemic failure—not only of enforcement and protection mechanisms but also of the judicial process itself. One of the most alarming factors sustaining this crisis is the persistently low conviction rate, which has created an environment of impunity that emboldens perpetrators and deepens victims’ mistrust in the system.
Source: Unpfa Pakistan
A Persistent and Underreported Crisis
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), over 4,000 cases of rape and more than 1,000 so-called honour killings are reported annually, with many more likely going unreported due to social stigma, police apathy, and fear of retaliation. The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) reports a domestic violence complaint roughly every 20 minutes in major urban centres. Yet these figures only scratch the surface of a broader, structural problem.
Pakistan ranks 142 out of 146 countries on the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum, reflecting significant disparities in safety, legal rights, and access to justice. Despite recent public outcries following high-profile cases such as, the Noor Mukadam murder, and motorway gang rape, institutional responses remain largely reactionary rather than reformative.
Justice Denied: The Conviction Rate Problem
At the core of Pakistan’s GBV crisis lies the chronic failure of the legal system to deliver justice. Studies conducted by legal advocacy groups such as AGHS Legal Aid Cell and War Against Rape (WAR) highlight conviction rates in rape and domestic violence cases as low as 2–3% in most districts. For honour killings, conviction is even rarer due to the exploitative use of loopholes under the Qisas and Diyat laws, which permit family-based forgiveness—often manipulated to allow perpetrators to walk free.
A report by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation revealed that out of 5,746 rape cases registered nationwide, fewer than 100 led to convictions. Procedural delays, poor investigation techniques, lack of forensic capacity, and intimidation of witnesses all contribute to these dismal outcomes.
Police and Prosecutorial Gaps
Source: BBC news
Law enforcement agencies remain structurally ill-equipped to handle GBV cases. Police officers often lack gender-sensitivity training, and victims reporting violence are frequently met with scepticism or blame. Even in the motorway gang rape case, the victim was subjected to blaming by police officials, which set the public outraged.
Source: Dawn news
Forensic evidence is either poorly collected or entirely missing due to the absence of rape kits in many districts. Only a handful of districts in Punjab have functioning Gender-Based Violence Courts, despite a Supreme Court directive to expand them nationwide.
Source: Dawn news
Moreover, prosecutors often do not receive specialised training to handle such sensitive cases. The result is a legal process that is alienating, slow, and deeply tilted against survivors.
Legal Reforms Without Structural Backing
Pakistan has passed several important laws in recent years, including the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act of 2021 and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act in various provinces. However, legal reform has outpaced institutional preparedness. Implementation remains fragmented due to jurisdictional overlap between federal and provincial authorities and resistance from conservative segments of society.
Additionally, many laws still lack adequate budgetary allocation, monitoring mechanisms, or public awareness campaigns—rendering them ineffective on the ground.
Honor Killings and Cultural Impunity
The persistence of honour killings illustrates the tension between legal statutes and entrenched patriarchal norms. In 2023 alone, more than 1,200 honour killings were reported across Pakistan, with actual numbers likely much higher due to informal settlements and cover-ups. In rural areas especially, tribal councils (jirgas) continue to issue extrajudicial punishments, in blatant violation of constitutional guarantees and Supreme Court rulings.
This form of violence is often treated as a “family matter”, further discouraging external intervention. The state’s inability—or unwillingness—to uniformly assert its writ against such parallel justice systems enables a culture of unaccountability.
Victim Protection and the Role of Society
Lack of victim protection services exacerbates trauma. Safe houses are few and under-resourced, and victims face immense social ostracism. In the absence of coordinated shelter, medical, legal, and psychological support, many women are forced to return to abusive environments.
Public discourse also plays a crucial role. Media sensationalism, moral policing, and victim-blaming narratives often dominate coverage, further silencing survivors. Attempts to raise awareness or reforming mindsets is frequently met with backlash, especially when interpreted as challenging religious or cultural values.
The Way Forward: A Structural Overhaul
Tackling GBV in Pakistan requires more than symbolic legislation. It demands a structural overhaul of the justice system, law enforcement, and social institutions:
- Strengthening Prosecution: Specialised GBV units within the prosecution service, staffed by trained legal professionals, must become standard.
- Police Reform: Investment in forensic science, gender-sensitivity training, and dedicated women police stations are critical.
- Fast-Track Courts: Expansion of GBV courts with time-bound trial mandates can help reverse low conviction rates.
- Closing Legal Loopholes: Revisiting Qisas and Diyat provisions in the context of honour crimes is essential to prevent misuse.
- Support Systems: Government funding must be allocated for shelters, psychological services, and legal aid for survivors.
- Education and Awareness: Long-term change depends on curriculum reforms, civic education, and responsible media engagement.
Breaking the Cycle of Impunity
The crisis of gender-based violence in Pakistan is not just a women’s issue—it is a national crisis undermining the rule of law, public trust, and social cohesion. As long as conviction rates remain abysmally low, and victims face insurmountable barriers to justice, GBV will continue to thrive under the shadow of impunity. Bridging the gap between law and implementation and confronting the deep cultural roots of this violence is the only way forward.
