Colombo, October 9 (Daily Kiran) : The Pakistani Supreme Court has underscored that merely changing societal attitudes is insufficient to protect women from violence. Investigations must also be conducted with a gender-sensitive approach. The court’s ruling highlighted that bias or discrimination in the investigative process can hinder the pursuit of truth, potentially obstructing a fair examination of facts before evidence reaches judges.
Justice Mohammad Hashim Khan Kakar, writing for a two-member bench, stated that police officers should receive training to recognize and overcome gender and patriarchal biases when investigating cases of violence against women. This ruling emerged from a murder case, yet its implications extend beyond this single incident. The court emphasized the necessity of avoiding biases and gender stereotypes during investigations into crimes against women, as such mentalities can obstruct impartiality in justice.
The Supreme Court’s remarks reveal an uncomfortable truth: bias in investigations can affect the search for truth even before evidence is presented to judges. Domestic violence presents a unique challenge for the criminal justice system, as these crimes often occur behind closed doors. The court noted that the tragedy extends beyond the potential murder of a woman in her home; the circumstances surrounding her death may remain concealed within those walls.
The legal system is tasked with uncovering the truth rather than allowing the privacy of marital homes to become a shield for offenders. Traditional beliefs regarding domestic matters and general expectations surrounding evidence often work against women. In such cases, independent eyewitnesses are rare, physical evidence may be concealed, and family members may be reluctant to testify before police or courts. If the victim dies as a result of violence, she cannot present her side of the story.
The Supreme Court has directed authorities to identify all available evidence, ensure its protection, and maintain it on record. This ruling has emphasized the need for a thorough review of the investigative process. A human rights organization recently reported that from 2021 to 2025, a staggering 195,787 cases involving women and girls were registered in Pakistan’s Punjab province, accounting for approximately 82 percent of the total recorded cases of gender-based violence nationwide.
According to the National Gender-Based Violence Crime Report 2021-25 by the Peace and Justice Network, Punjab recorded 14,824 cases of domestic violence, including 3,746 murders of women. Additionally, there were 830 honor killings and 442 cases of women being burned, which included 143 acid attacks and 299 stove burn incidents.
Sexual violence has also emerged as a significant issue, with 20,560 cases reported during this period. This figure includes 16,827 cases of rape, 2,183 cases of gang rape, 189 instances of sexual violence in custody, and 1,361 incest cases.
The report further indicated that between 2021 and 2025, Punjab recorded 90,965 cases of abduction and kidnapping, the highest across all categories. Furthermore, there were 68,165 additional cases of various forms of gender-based violence. The statistics reveal a troubling trend, with reported cases rising from 23,032 in 2021 to 56,613 in 2025, indicating a growing crisis.
Leave a Comment