Karachi, The province of Punjab has witnessed a concerning surge in crimes against women in 2023, with over 9,500 kidnapping cases reported, highlighting a significant challenge in tackling women’s trafficking and other heinous crimes. The Punjab Police, despite efforts to curb these incidents, faces a daunting task as reflected in the official data and recent developments.
According to Punjab Police, the province experienced an alarming number of abduction and trafficking incidents this year. Out of 31,253 accused persons in these cases, 14,786 were arrested, yet the conviction rate remains alarmingly low at only two percent. This trend of low conviction rates has been consistent over the past few years, with only three percent in 2022 and two percent in 2021.
Sheikhpura District Police Officer Zahid Nawaz Marwat recently reported the busting of a trafficking gang responsible for abducting over 100 girls from various parts of Lahore, including Data Darbar and the huts along the River Ravi. This revelation came during a hearing at the Lahore High Court where Justice Farooq Haider was presented with a compliance report on a rescued girl who had been missing for seven months. The prime suspect in this case demanded a ransom of Rs2.5 million, which led to the police tracing the call and conducting month-long investigations across multiple cities, culminating in the girl’s rescue from Jacobabad.
The gang, comprising eight arrested suspects, primarily targeted homeless children and girls lured through social media, selling them in remote areas. This case underscores the larger issue of impunity in crimes against women in Punjab. In addition to trafficking, the province has also reported 4,241 rape cases, 164 honor killings, and 55 acid attacks this year, with disturbingly low conviction rates in all categories.
In response to this crisis, the Punjab Police has initiated measures to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and transgender individuals. Protection centers have been established in all districts in collaboration with NGOs, with women and transgender police officers appointed as victim support officers. Police officers have undergone training to sensitively handle cases involving women victims of violence. Moreover, there has been an increase in the proportion of female police officers in key positions.
Despite these efforts, the persistently low conviction rates and high incidence of crimes against women call for more robust and effective strategies to ensure justice and safety for women in Punjab.