The legal framework
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
- Build a record: dated notes, photographs, medical reports, messages and names of witnesses.
- Plan the exit before announcing it — separation is statistically the most dangerous period.
- Keep identity documents, some money and a spare set of keys somewhere safe outside the home.
- Tell schools and employers where safety arrangements are needed.
- 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.
Official sources and links
- Government of Pakistan — official government portal