Domestic violence remains one of the most under-reported legal issues in Pakistan, often because victims and their families don’t know what legal protection actually exists, or assume it’s a private matter the law can’t touch. It isn’t — Pakistan has specific legislation designed to provide real, enforceable protection.

1️⃣ The Legal Framework

Protection against domestic violence is addressed through provincial legislation, including the Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013 and the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016, alongside general provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code covering assault, hurt, and criminal intimidation.

2️⃣ What Counts as Domestic Violence

These laws generally recognize violence beyond physical assault, including:

• Physical abuse — any act causing bodily harm or injury.
• Emotional and psychological abuse — including threats, intimidation, and controlling behavior.
• Economic abuse — denying access to finances or resources to control a victim.
• Verbal abuse — including sustained harassment and humiliation.

3️⃣ Legal Remedies Available

1. Protection Order — restrains the abuser from contacting or approaching the victim.
2. Residence Order — allows the victim to remain in the shared household, or directs alternative accommodation.
3. Monetary Relief — compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, and related costs.
4. Criminal Prosecution — separately, criminal complaints can be filed under the Pakistan Penal Code for assault, hurt, or criminal intimidation.

✅ Practical example: A woman in Karachi facing ongoing threats and controlling behavior from her husband approached the District Women Protection Officer, who assisted her in filing for a protection order — resulting in a court-issued order restraining her husband from contact, without requiring her to first pursue a lengthy criminal case.

4️⃣ How to Seek Help

• Contact the District Women Protection Officer or Committee established under the relevant provincial Act.
• File a complaint before the Judicial Magistrate, who can pass interim protection orders quickly in urgent cases.
• Preserve evidence — medical reports, photographs of injuries, messages, and witness details — as early as possible.

💡 Practical Tips

• Do not wait for the situation to escalate before seeking a protection order — courts can act quickly once a complaint is filed.
• Keep a record of incidents with dates, even before deciding to take formal action — this documentation is invaluable later.
• Reach out to women’s helplines or protection committees for immediate safety planning alongside legal steps.
• A protection order can be sought independently of, and prior to, any decision about divorce or separation.

Need Legal Assistance?

HSJ Legal, led by Advocate Hina Saleem Jessani (High Court Advocate, Karachi), assists victims of domestic violence in obtaining protection orders and pursuing legal remedies.

📞 Get in touch with us today — confidential support is available if you need help.