ISLAMABAD: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) has sought immediate and effective police action to curb surge in violence and rape against women and girls.

The commission had a meeting with senior police officials from across Pakistan to review the alarming rise in violence, rape, murder, harassment and other forms of gender-based violence against women and girls.

NCSW Chairperson Ms Noureen Bano Lehri while chairing the meeting expressed grave concern over the increasing incidents and took strict notice of cases including the Hina Javed, Ayat Noor and Asma Jattak cases, as well as recent cases in Sindh, including the tragic deaths of three-year-old Kulsoom Mohammed Qasim and 18-month-old Aizal in Karachi.

The Commission also expressed concern over the recently reported sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl in Shikarpur, whose identity has not been disclosed. Ms. Lehri directed the police authorities to ensure swift, transparent and merit-based investigations, effective prosecution and timely justice in every case involving violence against women and girls.

She stressed that every case must be pursued to its logical conclusion and that negligence, delay or failure in investigation will not be tolerated. The Commission called for special courts or dedicated judicial mechanisms to ensure speedy disposal of cases and prevent prolonged delays in justice in such cases.

The NCSW further directed enhanced police patrolling, surveillance and preventive measures in areas where women and girls face threats, both inside and outside their homes.

Women across Pakistan should be made fully aware of available police services, complaint mechanisms and emergency avenues for seeking protection and immediate relief.

The Commission called for effective monitoring of madaris, schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions to prevent harassment, abuse and violence. Particular emphasis was placed on educating and sensitising boys and young men so that they grow as responsible citizens and protectors of women and girls rather than perpetrators or harassers.

The Chairperson directed specialised training and capacity building of police officers, investigation officers, doctors, prosecutors, judicial officers and prison staff for gender-sensitive handling of cases and survivors.

The Commission also called for strict action against illegal jirgas and enhanced surveillance to prevent parallel or unlawful mechanisms from undermining women’s rights, due process and access to justice.

The NCSW directed that case-to-case data be shared and reviewed every month, with all Inspector Generals of Police required to provide updates on investigations, prosecution, pending cases, challenges, capacity-building measures and concrete actions being taken to control the surge in violence against women and girls.

The Commission further directed that the NCSW Complaint Management System (CMS) be effectively linked with police leadership to facilitate timely referral, response and follow-up of complaints.

All IGPs were urged to maintain direct coordination with Women Development Departments and Provincial Commissions on the Status of Women to strengthen protection, referral and response mechanisms. With regard to women in prisons, the Commission directed special monitoring of their welfare, protection and rehabilitation.

Women prisoners engaged in productive or vocational labour must be fairly compensated for their work and must not be paid less than male prisoners for comparable work. They should also receive education, vocational and skills training, financial literacy and rehabilitation support to enable them to rebuild dignified and independent lives after release and reintegrate positively into society.

The meeting was attended by SSP Investigations Punjab Khurram Shehzad, DIG Crimes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Hussain, SSP Kamar Rizvi from Sindh, and Additional Inspector General (Operations) Balochistan Shahzad Akbar, along with relevant senior police representatives from federal entities.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2026