Islamabad: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has released its 2025 annual report, highlighting a worsening human rights situation in the country, with a significant rise in gender-based violence.
According to the report, incidents of gender-based violence increased by 25% in 2025. A total of 1,332 women were killed in domestic violence cases, while 470 so-called honor killings were reported. Additionally, 2,586 cases of cyber harassment against women and 3,815 rape cases were recorded.
Pakistan ranked 145th out of 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, reflecting deep-rooted gender inequality challenges.
The report also noted that 3,417 people were killed and 2,134 injured in 1,272 terrorism-related incidents and counterterrorism operations during the year.
Law enforcement activities also intensified, with 1,696 individuals killed in 1,155 police encounters nationwide, including 977 deaths in 1,128 operations conducted by Punjab’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
Prison overcrowding reached 171% of capacity, while 21,600 Pakistani nationals remain imprisoned abroad, including 738 in Indian jails.
Children also faced severe risks, with 3,600 violence cases, 1,107 abductions, and 365 missing children reported. Cases of child marriage (53) and abuse linked to explicit content (52) were also highlighted.
The transgender community remained vulnerable, with 19 killings and 2 acid attack cases reported, most of them in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The report further stated that economic pressures pushed millions more below the poverty line during 2025.
