The Ministry of Interior submitted a comprehensive report to the Senate, revealing alarming statistics on rape and sexual assault in the federal capital over the past four years. According to the written reply by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, a total of 567 rape cases were registered in Islamabad during this period, leading to the arrest of 625 suspects.  

The report disclosed that only 23 accused have been formally charged so far, while trials in 406 cases remain pending before the courts.The report also exposed the disturbing prevalence of crimes against children, noting 201 cases of child sexual exploitation recorded in the capital in the last four years.

Adding to the concern, a recent national media report published earlier this month indicated that Islamabad has recorded the highest number of gang rape incidents in Pakistan, surpassing the combined figures of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The nationwide statistics paint a bleak picture: 2,142 gang rape cases and 4,472 incidents of Zina have been reported across the country. Specifically, in 2024 alone, Islamabad documented 22 gang rape cases and 125 Zina cases, raising serious questions about law enforcement and public safety in urban centres.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)