PESHAWAR — The Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) released its 2025 annual report on Saturday, painting a grim picture of systemic violence, digital harassment, and legislative gaps affecting women and marginalized communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Speaking at the Peshawar Press Club alongside central chairman Jamshed Hussain, HRCP KP President Izhar-ud-Din Khan confirmed that five percent of women in the province face daily violence. Despite the prevalence of these crimes, a staggering 70% of gender-based violence cases remain unreported due to social stigma and lack of institutional support.
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Institutional Harassment and Academic Safety
The report highlights a disturbing trend within higher education institutions. HRCP data identifies the University of Peshawar and Malakand University as hotspots for gender-based harassment. Academic environments, intended to be safe spaces for female students, continue to struggle with recurring incidents of misconduct.
Further complicating the safety of women is the persistence of the “Swara” custom—an illegal practice where females are given in marriage as compensation to settle disputes. HRCP leadership emphasized that this tradition remains active in various pockets of the province despite legal prohibitions.
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Judicial Failures and the Digital Divide
The 2025 data reveals a near-total collapse of legal accountability for sex crimes. Out of 258 reported rape cases in the province, the judiciary recorded only a single conviction. This results in a provincial conviction rate of just 0.39%, a figure HRCP describes as a primary driver of lawlessness.
The digital landscape has also become a new frontier for victimization:
- Cybercrime Surge: Authorities registered 160,000 cases with the Cybercrime Unit in 2025.
- Awareness Gap: Experts estimate that 30% to 40% of victims fail to report digital harassment due to a lack of awareness regarding legal recourse.
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Targeted Violence Against Transgender Persons
The transgender community faced extreme hostility throughout 2025. The report documents multiple targeted killings and instances of forced displacement, specifically citing Swabi where official expulsion orders were issued against transgender individuals. HRCP condemned these acts as a direct violation of fundamental human rights and constitutional protections.
Legislative Mandates for 2026
In response to these findings, the HRCP, joined by Vice-Chairperson Afsha Kiani and tribal activist Sakina Afridi, issued a formal list of demands to the provincial government:
- Policy Approval: Immediate passage of the KP Women Empowerment Policy
- Strict Legislation: Swift enactment of specialized laws targeting acid attacks and domestic violence.
- Judicial Reform: The establishment of dedicated gender-based violence courts and protection funds.
- Political Rights: Rectifying the deprivation of local women from reserved seats in the Provincial Assembly to ensure fair representation.
