The National Assembly on Thursday passed the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2025, a major legislative step aimed at establishing a comprehensive legal framework to curb domestic abuse within the Islamabad Capital Territory. The bill—moved by PPP MNA Sharmila Farooqui—seeks to safeguard not only women but also men, children, transgender persons, and all other vulnerable individuals experiencing violence within domestic relationships.
The legislation will become law after it receives approval from the Senate.
A Comprehensive Framework Addressing Multiple Forms of Abuse
The bill provides an expansive definition of domestic violence, categorizing it as any form of physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, or economic abuse inflicted by one person on another within a domestic setting. It mandates preventive measures, legal assistance, and structured rehabilitation for survivors, aiming to reshape how domestic violence cases are handled in Islamabad.
During the bill’s presentation, lawmakers highlighted alarming statistics from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, which show that one in three women in Pakistan experiences domestic abuse during her lifetime—a figure that underscores the urgency of strengthening protective laws.
Penalties, Legal Process, and Victim Protection Measures
Under the bill, offences not already covered by the Pakistan Penal Code will carry strict penalties, including:
-
six months to three years’ imprisonment,
-
a fine of up to Rs100,000,
-
and an additional three months’ imprisonment if the offender fails to pay the fine.
The law also stipulates that anyone who aids or abets domestic violence will face the same punishment as the primary offender.
To ensure timely justice, the legislation requires courts to:
-
fix the first hearing within seven days,
-
resolve the petition within 90 days, and
-
issue interim protection orders whenever necessary.
Victims will have full legal rights to remain in the shared household or seek refuge in a government-approved shelter home.
Protection Orders and the New Protection Committee
If the court finds prima facie evidence of domestic violence, it can issue a range of protection orders. These may:
-
prohibit the respondent from contacting or approaching the aggrieved person,
-
require the respondent to vacate the shared home in severe situations,
-
prevent interference in the victim’s property or living arrangements, and
-
mandate a security bond as a safeguard against further violence.
To implement and monitor these safeguards, the bill calls for the creation of a Protection Committee in Islamabad. The committee will include:
-
a representative from the Family Protection and Rehabilitation Centre,
-
a member of the National Commission on the Status of Women,
-
a doctor, psychologist, or psychosocial worker,
-
a law officer,
-
a police officer—preferably female, and
-
a Protection Officer, who will serve as the committee’s secretary.
This committee will play a central role in coordinating victim support, assisting with legal procedures, and ensuring enforcement of court orders.
Opposition Criticism
Despite broad support, the legislation was not without controversy. JUI-F lawmakers criticized what they described as the “hasty” passage of the bill, arguing that more debate was needed. Nonetheless, the National Assembly moved forward and approved it along with four other legislative proposals.
