Domestic violence
There is no single national statute. Sindh legislated in 2013, Punjab in 2016, the Islamabad Capital Territory in 2020 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2021, each providing protection orders, residence orders and monetary relief. Enforcement infrastructure — protection centres, women's police stations — varies considerably.
Key points
| Legislation | Provincial: Sindh, Punjab, KP and ICT each have their own Act |
|---|---|
| Protection orders | Available from the courts, with monetary and residence relief |
| Violence against Women Centres | One-stop centres in Punjab providing police, medical, legal and shelter services |
| Dar-ul-Aman | State-run shelters in most districts |
| Criminal provisions | Hurt, criminal intimidation and the anti-honour-killing law of 2016 |
| Honour crimes | The 2016 law removed the ability of the family to pardon the killer in honour cases |
| Helplines | Provincial women's helplines and the national Madadgaar line |
| Provincial laws | Each province has its own domestic violence act, with differing protections |
| Helpline | Provincial helplines operate alongside women's shelters |
In practice
- Check which provincial act applies: the protections and procedures differ.
- Contact a legal aid organisation before approaching the court; they know local practice.
Cost and coverage
Court applications are inexpensive; legal aid is provided by NGOs and by provincial legal aid bodies.
Recent changes
The Punjab Violence against Women Centre model — police, prosecution, medical examination and shelter in one building — has been widely studied as a regional example.
Where to go
- Provincial women's helplines; Madadgaar national helpline.
- Violence against Women Centres and Dar-ul-Aman shelters.
- Legal aid NGOs such as AGHS Legal Aid Cell.
Worth knowing
Because the law differs by province, the first question is where you live: the available orders, centres and helplines are not the same in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Because domestic violence law is provincial, protection available in one province may not exist in another. Establish the applicable act first.
The general article: Domestic violence · Compare with another country
Female genital mutilation
As in India, the practice is confined almost entirely to the Dawoodi Bohra community and is rarely discussed publicly. There is no specific criminal provision; the acts would fall under general provisions on hurt and under child protection legislation. Survivor-led organisations working across South Asia provide the main source of support and documentation.
As in India, the practice in Pakistan is associated with one community and is rarely discussed publicly. No statute names it, and there is very little data — no national survey has measured it. General provisions on hurt could apply in principle. For a couple with a link to Europe, North America or Australia, the home country's extraterritorial law is usually the operative rule rather than Pakistani law.
Key points
| Community | Confined almost entirely to the Dawoodi Bohra community |
|---|---|
| Specific law | No dedicated offence; the general provisions on hurt and on child protection would be applied |
| Visibility | Very low; the practice is rarely discussed publicly |
| Support | Survivor-led organisations operate across South Asia |
| Care | Available in gynaecology departments, though awareness among clinicians is limited |
| Diaspora | Families abroad are subject to the law of their country of residence |
In practice
- Survivor-led organisations offer confidential support and can advise families.
- Gynaecological complications can be treated in any teaching hospital department.
- If a child is at immediate risk, child protection units of the police can be contacted.
- Families living in Europe, North America or Australia should know that the practice is prosecuted there.
Where to go
- Child protection units of the police.
- Survivor-led organisations working in South Asia.
- Gynaecology departments of teaching hospitals.
Worth knowing
Because the practice is largely invisible, clinicians frequently do not recognise it. Being explicit about what was done, and when, changes the quality of the care you receive.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a law against it in Pakistan?
No specific statute. General criminal provisions on causing hurt could in theory apply, but there is no record of them being used for this. The absence of data and of public debate is itself part of the problem.
What if the family lives abroad?
Then the law of the country of residence will usually apply as well, and most Western countries prosecute the act even when it takes place abroad and is lawful there. For families settled in the UK, Ireland, Canada, the United States or Australia, that is the rule that matters.
The general article: Female genital mutilation · Compare with another country
General sources
- Government of Pakistan — official government portal