RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab Women’s Wing General Secretary Nargis Faiz Malik on Sunday criticised the Punjab government over its failure to provide a secure environment for women.
The PPP MPA said government claims regarding the protection of women were meaningless without concrete and practical measures. While the Punjab chief minister described the protection of women as her “red line”, the ground reality reflected a serious situation of insecurity for women.
She further noted that, according to media reports, 413 rape cases and 26 gang rape cases were reported during the first eight months of 2025. However, during the corresponding period of the current year, these figures had risen to 498 and 36, respectively.
“This increase, approximately 21pc in rape cases and 38pc in gang rape incidents, is deeply alarming. These figures represent only those incidents that made it into police records; many other cases go unreported due to fear of social stigma, societal pressure and various other reasons,” Nargis Faiz Malik said.
She said it was the responsibility of the government and relevant institutions to ensure a safe environment for women and take effective measures to prevent such crimes.
She urged the authorities to conduct prompt and impartial investigations into suspects involved in sexual offences, provide protection and legal assistance to victims, and ensure that perpetrators received severe punishment through a transparent legal process.
She said ensuring the protection of women was a fundamental responsibility of the state.
Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2026
