Women's Media Forum Pakistan

Alarming rise in violence against women in Balochistan in 2025: Aurat Foundation report By Dauran Baloch Quetta: An alarming increase in incidents of violence against women was recorded in Balochistan during 2025, according to a new annual report released by the Aurat Foundation Balochistan chapter. The report, which documents cases from January to December 2025, reveals that at least 123 incidents of violence against women were reported across the province. These include murder, honour killing, abduction, harassment, sexual violence, domestic abuse and suicide. The foundation warns that the actual number of cases is likely far higher, as many incidents remain unreported due to fear, social pressure and limited access to reporting mechanisms. According to the report, 65 women and 25 men were killed in Balochistan during the year, while 33 women and 25 men were murdered in the name of so-called honour. In addition, two women died by suicide due to domestic circumstances. Other reported cases include five incidents of harassment, nine of domestic violence, six of sexual assault and 11 abductions, highlighting the scale and diversity of gender-based violence in the province. The report also presents data from the Women and Juvenile Facilitation Centres (WJFCs), which received 129 complaints during 2025. These included 35 cases of harassment, 37 of domestic violence, four cases of missing women, four cases of threats, 14 cases of blackmail, one case of digital violence and eight cases of financial fraud against women. Police provided counselling, initial medical assistance and legal guidance to survivors, with several cases reported from districts outside the complainants’ place of residence. Aurat Foundation expressed grave concern over the persistence of honour killings, describing them as one of the most severe and entrenched forms of violence against women. The report records 58 honour killing incidents in 2025 alone. Jaffarabad reported the highest number with 10 cases involving women, followed by Sibi and Lasbela with four cases each. Noshki, Kharan, Mastung and Loralai recorded two cases each, while one case was reported from Chagai. The report also includes district-wise data from 2019 to 2025, showing that Quetta tops the list with 103 cases of women killed, including honour killings, over the past six years. Other districts with consistently high numbers include Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Lasbela, Sibi, Panjgur and Khuzdar. The foundation notes that the sustained prevalence of such crimes in these districts demands urgent legal, institutional and social interventions. Clarifying the limitations of data, the Aurat Foundation stressed that variations in reported cases do not necessarily reflect lower or higher levels of violence in specific areas, but rather differences in reporting access, social stigma and fear of retaliation. As a result, the true scale of violence against women may be significantly underrepresented. The report calls on the Balochistan government and relevant institutions to treat cases of violence against women and honour killings with utmost seriousness. It urges specialised training for police, judiciary and lawyers, timely registration of cases, transparent investigations and strict enforcement of existing laws. The foundation warned that without effective implementation, crimes such as forced marriages, acid attacks, sexual violence, abduction and honour killings will continue unabated. The report further highlights that certain cultural practices and traditions not only violate women’s fundamental rights but are also contrary to Islamic principles. It emphasises that sustainable protection and empowerment of women require access to education, economic opportunities, participation in decision-making and equal rights at the societal level. @Advjalila @zehrijournalist

Bolan: Another Tragic News Of Honor Killing Two people, including a woman, were shot dead over allegations of "honor". Suspects managed to flee from the scene, Levies sources confirm. #Bolan #HonorKilling #Balochistan @Advjalila @zehrijournalist @ImaanZHazir