Karachi: Pakistani woman was set on fire by her husband in Karachi after she confronted him about his extramarital affairs. The woman, who suffered 40% burns, was first tortured and then doused with petrol before being set ablaze. Her husband fled the scene but was apprehended by the police a few days later. Reports indicate that the woman had been regularly abused by her husband. She is currently receiving treatment at the Burns Ward of Karachi’s Civil Hospital, while the police continue their investigation into the incident.
According to a report by the Progressive Women’s Association (PWA), approximately 300 Pakistani women are burned to death each year by their husbands or in-laws, with such violence on the rise. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recently held a meeting discussing women’s rights and justice, highlighting concerns over the low conviction rates for crimes like rape, abduction, domestic violence, and harmful customs. The HRCP noted that while these crimes are frequently reported, the conviction rates remain strikingly low due to weak investigations, societal stigma, and delays in the judicial process, making it difficult for victims to obtain justice.
Additionally, the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) released a report titled “Mapping Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Pakistan 2024,” which revealed disturbing statistics on GBV. The report showed 32,617 cases of GBV were reported nationwide in 2024, including 5,339 rapes, 24,439 kidnappings, 2,238 domestic violence incidents, and 547 honor killings. Despite these numbers, the conviction rates remain alarmingly low, with only 0.5% for rape and honor killings, 0.1% for kidnappings and abductions, and 1.3% for domestic violence.