HOME is often described as a sanctuary for safety and comfort, but for countless victims of domestic violence (DV), it becomes the very place where danger exists.

After much effort, a progressive law was passed in Sindh in 2013 to protect DV victims and survivors. The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013, (DV Act, 2013) defines ‘domestic violence’ as physical violence, emotional, psychological, verbal, sexual and economic abuse, stalking and trespass. Following Sindh, the other provinces also passed DV laws including: The Balochistan Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2014, The Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Domestic Violence against Women (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2021. The Islamabad Capital Territory lacks an explicit law, but recently a bill has been presented in parliament.

The effectiveness of legislation addressing violence against women and girls is rarely evident at the time it is enacted. The real impact becomes clear only when they are put into practice. It is through enforcement and real-life application that legal principles confront the realities of human behaviour. When laws move from written statutes to courts, police stations and communities, the ideals of justice confront the social norms, power imbalances and lived realities that shape women’s and girls’ experiences of gender-based violence (GBV).

A recent case in Karachi reveals a gap in DV and gender protection laws in the country. A judgement by an additional district and sessions judge highlighted that Pakistan’s law does not address cases where DV by a husband or in-laws lead a woman to take her own life, an offence known as the ‘abetment of suicide’. The case was registered by the brother of the victim, a 32-year-old woman, who reportedly died by suicide, leaving a note that held her husband and in-laws responsible.

Impact of DV laws becomes clear only when they are implemented.

Until 2022, attempted suicide was a criminal offence in Pakistan. This changed with the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2022, which decriminalised suicide attempts. However, the absence of a specific law addressing abetment of suicide in DV cases remains a serious gap — particularly in GBV cases, where prolonged abuse or coercion may push victims towards self-harm. For example, in India, Section 108 of its new criminal code — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — can apply in cases where DV results in suicide. It is a cognisable, non-bailable, non-compoundable offence.

To criminalise abetment of suicide in Pakistan, one option would be for parliament to amend the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, by introducing a new offence specifically addressing the abetment of suicide. Alternatively, each provincial assembly could amend its DV and women protection laws to include such abetment as an offence. Both approaches would require careful consultation with police, civil society, prosecution and judicial academies, which can be led by the National Commission on the Status of Women.

Further, while the definition of domestic violence in DV Act, 2013, may seem to capture all forms of DV, over time, the offence of DV has evolved significantly. The recent increase in cases of technology-facilitated GBV is a prime example. Tech advancements have enabled new forms of domestic abuse, such as misuse of GPS-enabled devices — including smartphones and smartwatches — to track a victim’s movements.

Dowry-related violence is another form of DV which is not explicitly mentioned in DV Act, 2013. The Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act, 1976, continues to apply across Pakistan. Section 8A provides that complaints against violations of the dowry law shou­­ld be made to the deputy commissioner. The law provides that the offence will only be triable by a ‘family court. However, Section 9 (3) makes it clear that the family court cannot take cognisance except upon a complaint in writing made by, or under the authority of, the DC. This is in contradiction to DV Act, 2013, which allows an aggrieved person to directly file a petition in court, thereby increasing access to justice. Data, compiled by the National Police Bureau and recently presented in the National Assembly, reveals that about 9,799 women experienced DV between 2021 and 2024. However, this data is underreported. Further, DV crimes that are not explicitly recognised as offences under the law can remain invisible in official statistics, further masking the true scale of the crisis.

Everyone deserves to live in a home where there is safety, security, and dignity. Laws must evolve with society, and be continuously updated to guarantee safety and protection. The state must strengthen DV laws and ensure that no one lives in fear in their own home.

The writer is a barrister of Lincoln’s Inn and an advocate of the high courts of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2026