Parliament Enacts Comprehensive Domestic Violence Legislation for Islamabad
In a significant legislative move, Pakistan's Parliament has approved a groundbreaking domestic violence law that introduces stringent measures to protect vulnerable individuals within households. The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2026 was passed during a joint session, specifically targeting the federal capital territory of Islamabad. This new law marks a pivotal step in addressing various forms of abuse that have long plagued domestic settings across the country.
Expanded Protection and Criminalized Behaviors
The legislation extends its protective umbrella to a wide range of individuals, including wives, children, elderly family members, adopted children, transgender persons, and anyone cohabiting in a household. It defines domestic violence comprehensively, encompassing physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse that inflicts fear or harm on victims.
Specifically prohibited actions under the act include:
- Threatening a wife with divorce or second marriage
- Forcing a spouse to live with other family members against her will
- Verbally abusing household members
- Causing emotional or psychological distress
- Stalking disabled or elderly household members
- Violating the privacy or dignity of family members
- Making false allegations against household members
- Willfully neglecting the care of dependents
- Sexual exploitation and economic abuse
Stringent Penalties and Judicial Procedures
Offenders convicted under this legislation face severe consequences, including imprisonment of up to three years and fines reaching 100,000 rupees. The law establishes minimum sentences of six months for specific offenses such as staring at one's wife, threatening divorce, or threatening a second marriage.
The judicial process has been streamlined to ensure swift justice:
- Courts must conduct hearings within seven days of receiving complaints
- Verdicts must be delivered within 90 days
- Courts can impose an additional six months imprisonment for failure to pay fines
- Judges can order GPS trackers for individuals who commit domestic violence
Victim Protection and Support Mechanisms
The legislation prioritizes victim safety and support through several key provisions. Victims maintain the right to remain in their shared residence, while respondents must arrange alternative accommodation if necessary. Authorities are empowered to provide shelter home placement when required. Courts can issue protective orders requiring alleged abusers to maintain distance from victims, ensuring immediate physical safety.
This comprehensive approach to domestic violence prevention represents a major advancement in Pakistan's legal framework, addressing both immediate protection needs and long-term behavioral change through substantial penalties and rapid judicial intervention.
