More than 3,170 cases of tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) were reported across Pakistan in 2024, according to a press release issued by the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF). The alarming figure highlights the persistent threat women and marginalized groups face online, despite advances in education and awareness.
According to the DRF’s eighth annual report, the organization’s helpline—dedicated to addressing TFGBV and other forms of digital abuse—received the highest volume of complaints in May, with 386 cases. March and July also saw spikes, with 312 and 354 complaints, respectively.
Cyber harassment remained the most frequently reported issue, accounting for 2,741 of the total complaints. However, only 36% of these cases originated from cities with an operational Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing, pointing to gaps in access to justice and digital protection.
The report revealed that adults aged 18 to 30 were the most targeted demographic, representing 1,774 cases. In terms of location, Punjab reported the highest number of incidents at 2,277, followed by Sindh with 301. This disparity reflects both population size and differing levels of awareness about the helpline services.
A breakdown by gender showed that women filed 1,772 complaints, while men reported 1,365. The remaining cases came from individuals who did not disclose their gender or identified otherwise. Minority groups and journalists were also among those targeted, with 124 and 121 cases, respectively.
The DRF helpline operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, offering gender-sensitive, confidential, and accessible support, including psychosocial assistance. The helpline received an average of 264 new cases each month in 2024.
The press release emphasized the many obstacles survivors face in seeking help, including logistical, cultural, and financial barriers—challenges even more pronounced for women. It stressed the need for improved accessibility to ensure equitable redressal for all.
DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad also raised concerns about the evolving nature of digital threats and the inadequacy of current systems to respond to them, especially in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.
“In a time where AI and automation are hailed as the future, it’s important to remember that trust, safety, and digital security are deeply contextual,” said Dad. “Cultural nuance, emotional intelligence, and lived experience cannot be programmed. Tech companies and state actors must recognize the limits of automation—this is not a space for cost-cutting at the expense of human safety.”
The report serves as a reminder of the urgent need for both structural reforms and responsible digital governance to safeguard vulnerable populations in the online space.
