Pakistan Sees Surge in Gender-Based Violence in 2025, HRCP Report Reveals
A new annual report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan highlights a worsening human rights situation in Pakistan during 2025, with a significant rise in gender-based violence and security-related incidents.
According to the report, cases of gender-based violence increased by 25 percent during the year. At least 470 women were killed in so-called “honour” crimes, while 1,332 women lost their lives in domestic violence incidents. Additionally, 3,815 rape cases were reported, and 2,586 incidents of cyber harassment targeting women were recorded.
The report also ranked Pakistan 130th out of 143 countries in terms of enforcement of fundamental rights, and 145th out of 148 countries on the global gender gap index, reflecting persistent inequality.
In terms of security, the report noted 1,272 دہشت گردانہ incidents and counterterrorism operations, resulting in 3,417 deaths and 2,134 injuries. It further revealed that 1,696 people were killed in 1,155 police encounters nationwide, including 977 deaths in 1,128 operations carried out by Punjab’s Counter Terrorism Department.
Children were also heavily affected, with 3,600 reported cases of violence. Authorities recorded 1,107 kidnapping cases, 365 missing children, and 53 instances of child marriage. The report also documented 52 cases involving child sexual abuse linked to pornographic content.
The situation of transgender individuals remained concerning, with 19 قتل reported in 2025 and two acid attacks. The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest number of transgender killings.
Prison overcrowding reached 171 percent capacity, while around 21,600 پاکستانی شہری remain imprisoned abroad, including 738 in Indian jails—many of them fishermen.
The HRCP report also warned that millions more people were pushed below the poverty line during the year, underscoring broader socio-economic challenges facing the country.
