The legal framework
The Child Marriage Restraint Act and the Penal Code set the relevant ages, with Sindh legislating 18. The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021 created special courts, anti-rape crisis cells, protection of complainant identity, and a prohibition on the two-finger test. Marital rape is not clearly criminalised.
Key points
| Age | 16 federally; 18 in Sindh |
|---|---|
| Anti-Rape Act 2021 | Special courts, time limits for trials, crisis cells and medico-legal reform |
| Two-finger test | Prohibited following High Court rulings and the 2021 Act |
| Identity protection | Complainants' identities are protected by law |
| Marital rape | Not expressly criminalised |
| Zina | The 2006 Protection of Women Act separated rape from zina, removing a major barrier to complaints |
| Medico-legal | Examination must be conducted promptly by trained staff |
| Time limits | The 2021 Act sets targets for completing trials |
In practice
- Report to the police at any station; you do not have to decide immediately whether to pursue a prosecution.
- A forensic medical examination can usually be carried out and stored before any decision to report.
- Specialist support services can attend with you and explain each step.
- Ask for written confirmation of any examination and of the report reference.
- Ask for the anti-rape crisis cell at the nearest designated hospital.
- Request a woman officer and a support person during the statement.
Recent changes
The 2021 Act and the establishment of anti-rape crisis cells were designed to shorten trials and improve evidence collection, long identified as the weakest links.
Where to go
- Anti-rape crisis cells attached to district hospitals.
- Provincial women's helplines and Madadgaar national helpline.
- Legal aid NGOs such as AGHS and War Against Rape.
Worth knowing
A medico-legal examination should be requested immediately at a district hospital. Under the 2021 framework it must be done by trained staff and the two-finger test is unlawful. The 2021 Act created dedicated crisis cells and special courts. Ask for them by name — general police stations often do not mention them.
Official sources and links
- Government of Pakistan — official government portal