Lahore Reports Sharp Rise in Sexual Violence Cases; Punjab Police Chief Calls Emergency Meeting
Concerns over women’s safety have intensified across Punjab following a reported increase in rape and gang-rape cases, with 4,955 cases registered across the province during the current year.
In Lahore, the number of reported rape and gang-rape cases rose significantly compared with the same period last year. During the first 10 months of the previous year, 470 cases were reported in the provincial capital. This figure increased to 630 during the corresponding period this year, marking a rise of 160 cases.
The increase has raised serious concerns about the protection of women and the effectiveness of measures to prevent sexual violence.
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz reportedly expressed displeasure with police officials last week over the rising number of crimes against women. She directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab to monitor serious crimes on a weekly basis.
Following these concerns, the provincial police chief called an emergency meeting to review the crime situation and assess police performance across all districts.
The meeting is expected to examine rape and gang-rape cases alongside other serious offences, with a focus on evaluating the law enforcement response and identifying areas requiring immediate attention.
According to sources cited in the report, the IGP Punjab will submit a performance review and an assessment of the crime situation in the districts to the chief minister.
The latest figures have renewed calls for stronger law enforcement, improved monitoring and more effective measures to ensure women’s safety across Punjab.
