Pakistan is witnessing an alarming rise in intolerance and violence. Cases of child abuse, violence against women, honour killing, acid attacks, and extrajudicial killings continue to dominate media headlines, raising serious questions about our commitment to justice, human dignity, and the rule of law. These incidents not only devastate individual families but also weaken public confidence in the institutions responsible for protecting citizens.
Among the most disturbing trends is the continued abuse of children. Reports of sexual abuse, physical violence, neglect, and exploitation continue to emerge from across the country. Equally troubling are reports indicating an increase in parental violence against children, reminding us that many children are unsafe even within their own homes.
Corporal punishment also remains common in schools, religious institutions, and households despite years of advocacy for its elimination. Violence against children cannot be justified as discipline; it leaves lasting psychological and emotional scars and perpetuates a cycle of fear and aggression.
Violence against women remains another grave challenge. Domestic abuse, harassment, forced marriages, rape, workplace discrimination, and so-called honour killings continue to claim lives and destroy futures. Reports documented over 400 honour killings during 2025, demonstrating that gender-based violence remains deeply rooted despite legal reforms and increased public awareness.
The brutal acid attack on Dr Mahnoor Nasir in Quetta in June was another painful reminder of the dangers faced by women in public life. The attack prompted nationwide protests by healthcare professionals and renewed demands for stronger protection of medical workers, particularly women serving in public institutions.
Pakistan also continues to grapple with growing concerns over extrajudicial killings. While many celebrate the death of suspected criminals in police encounters, justice cannot be achieved outside the framework of the law. Every accused person has the constitutional right to be arrested, investigated, prosecuted, and tried before an independent court.
When suspects are killed before trial, society loses the opportunity to uncover the full truth. Who planned the crime? Were there accomplices? Was a larger criminal network involved? Were influential individuals behind the offence? These questions often remain unanswered when due process is abandoned.
A heartbreaking example occurred in June when nine-year-old Hania Ahmed, an Australian child of Pakistani origin visiting relatives in Chakwal, was killed after police allegedly mistook her family’s vehicle for that of suspected dacoits during an operation. Her father and brother were also seriously injured. The tragedy sparked widespread outrage and renewed demands for greater professionalism, accountability, and safeguards to protect innocent civilians during law enforcement operations.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has repeatedly expressed concern over allegations of extrajudicial killings and has emphasised the importance of due process and accountability. Reports indicate that since April 2025, Punjab has witnessed approximately 808 police encounters resulting in nearly 1,100 deaths, figures that have intensified calls for independent investigations and stronger oversight of policing practices.
Similarly, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) after its meeting with senior police officials from across Pakistan on Sept 1 sought immediate and effective police action to curb surge in violence and rape against women and girls.
The commission had called the meeting to review the alarming rise in violence, rape, murder, harassment and other forms of gender-based violence against women and girls.
The NCSW in its meeting had taken strict notice of cases, including Hina Javed, Ayat Noor and Asma Jattak, 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.
Behind these incidents lies a broader social crisis. Rising inflation, unemployment, poverty, and limited educational and economic opportunities have created frustration and hopelessness among many young people. While these conditions can never excuse violence, they underscore the need for long-term investment in education, skills development, employment, and community support.
Educational institutions must play a greater role in promoting tolerance, critical thinking, respect for diversity, and peaceful conflict resolution. At the same time, the justice system must ensure that crimes are investigated professionally and prosecuted fairly. Public confidence grows when justice is delivered through independent courts rather than through violence.
Creating a more tolerant Pakistan is not solely the responsibility of the government. Parents, teachers, religious scholars, journalists, lawyers, judges, doctors, civil society organisations, and ordinary citizens all have a role in rejecting hatred, protecting the vulnerable, and strengthening respect for the rule of law.
A peaceful society is built not through fear or revenge, but through justice, accountability, and compassion. If Pakistan is to overcome the growing tide of intolerance, it must reaffirm that every human life has value and that the law — not violence — must always prevail.
The writer is a human rights activist based in Islamabad.
Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2026
