KARACHI, Aug 7: Some 321 rape cases were reported from across the country between January and June this year.

Figures of sexual violence against women documented by NGO Madadgaar, a joint venture of the Lawyers for Human Rights and legal Aid (LHRLA) and UNICEF, reveals that in the last six months the number of rape cases rose in the country.

In January 2002 around sixty-nine cases of rape were reported from rural and urban areas, in February 2002 the number was 43, in March 65, April 37, May 54, and in June 2002 53 cases of sexual violence against women were reported by victims or their relatives. The Punjab topped list where henious crimes were committed including 233 rape cases.

There were 82 in Sindh, whereas the NWFP and Balochistan had only 4 and 2 cases registered.—PPI