• Official report links legal reforms, specialised investigation units and gender-based violence courts for sharp increase
• Police cite better evidence handling and coordination with medico-legal officers; majority of cases still end in acquittals

KARACHI: The conviction rate in rape cases in Sindh rose to 22 per cent in 2025 from 5pc in 2020, owing to a range of factors, including legal reforms, the establishment of gender-based violence courts and the formation of specialised investigation units, it has emerged.

There are several provisions in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), as amended by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2021, including Sections 376 (1) (rape), 376 (1A) (rape by a public servant or person in authority), 376 (2) (gang rape), 376 (3) (rape of a minor), and 376 (4) (rape by a repeat offender).

Official data showed that in 2025, a total of 178 rape cases were registered across Sindh, of which 135 resulted in acquittals, while 28 led to convictions.

Nine cases were registered under Section 376 (1A), which is rape by a public servant or person in authority, of the PPC, with no convictions recorded. Fifteen cases under Section 376(2) (gang rape) were registered, in which nine accused were acquitted, and three were convicted.

Twenty-five cases under Section 376(3) (rape of a minor) were registered, in which seven accused were acquitted, and 12 were convicted. One case under Section 376(4) (rape by a repeat offender) of the PPC was registered, with no conviction.

Overall, 228 cases were registered in the province last year, of which 155 resulted in acquittals and 43 in convictions.

DIG Crime and Investigations, Sindh Amir Farooqi told Dawn that the Sindh police had performed “significantly better” in the investigation of rape cases.

He pointed out that a 22pc conviction rate was achieved in 2025, attributing the improvement to the establishment of the Special Sexual Offences Investigation Unit (SSOIU) in all districts of Sindh.

The DIG said investigators had received training in evidence collection and case file preparation. “Police investigators now have a better understanding of handling rape cases,” he said.

“These units are maintaining close coordination with medico-legal officers (MLOs) for the timely collection and preservation of evidence, its forensic analysis, and case follow-up in courts in coordination with the prosecution,” he added.

The senior officer described the 22pc conviction rate as the highest in the country for rape cases, clarifying that the figure covered rape and gang rape offences only.

The official report pointed out that rape cases instituted in a given year do not necessarily conclude within the same year. “Many remain pending in court for months or years because of trial delays,” it added.

Using cases registered as the denominator would artificially lower the conviction rate, as it would include cases that have not yet reached an outcome. Using disposed cases — those that have reached a final verdict (either conviction or acquittal) — provides a more accurate picture of court decisions.

“The 22pc conviction figure represents a significant improvement over the 5pc conviction rate recorded in 2020,” the report said.

Citing several reasons behind the increase, the report observed that it reflected the impact of legislative reforms, institutional capacity-building, and the operationalisation of gender-based violence courts across the province.

The report stated that 327 rape cases were pending at the start of 2025 (carried over from previous years). Combined with the 228 new cases registered during the year, the total caseload stood at 555 cases, of which only 198 were disposed of.

“This means a significant backlog of cases remains unresolved,” the report noted.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2026