Victims of Khula Procedure in Pakistan:
A more disturbing recent trend is
the increase in the incidence of rape of young girls and minor Rape and sexual
assault on minors and young women after khula
procedure in Pakistan remains one of the commonest crimes Pakistan,
mostly of victims forcibly kidnapped and victimized It is difficult to assess
the extent incidence since the crime is mostly not reported whether because of
the social stigma or because the law and legal procedures are heavily weighted
against a victim. The common assumption the incidence is thrice the number of
reported cases may be an underestimation.
Basic Reported Cases Alone:
The estimate is that a rape after
khula procedure in Pakistan occurs every three hours in Pakistan. Of the cases
reported in 10 days in 1996 from just one geographical area of Punjab, 20
victims were minors, the youngest being 8 years of age; all the victims
belonged to the lowest income group. Information compiled from reports of just the
Lahore-based newspapers during January-July 19 indicates 226 cases of abduction
and 365 cases of rape after khula procedure in Pakistan. Gang-rape, which has
increased over recent years, is used as a means of revenge not only in public
places but also in homes in front of male family members.
Law in Pakistan for the Rape and Molestation of Women:
Political, sectarian and ethnic
contacts are characterized by rape and molestation of women, including at the
hands of the law- enforcing agencies. It may be mentioned that of the 50
reported cases referred to above, 80 D the victims were gang-raped. However,
this percentage is not likely to reflect the actual situation, since news
reports cover the more horrendous incidents which come to public attention. As
an acknowledgment of the seriousness of the issue, the law firm in Pakistan
has recently been amended to introduce a death penalty for gang rape. Its
effectiveness and impact have yet to be seen. Legislation, howsoever strong, is
never sufficient in itself. It must be accompanied by devices to change the
attitudes and perceptions prevalent in a patriarchal society, as well as the
will to strictly implement the law.
Recommendations after Khula Procedure in Pakistan:
(See relevant recommendations in
the Chapter on Institutionalization) Custodial Violence: Sexual and physical
abuse and rape of women in the custody of the police has reached serious
proportions, particularly since the promulgation of the Hudood Ordinances which
have increased the law-enforcement agencies contact with a larger number of
women, and thereby the opportunities for custodial violence. A 1992 report
found that 70% of women in police stations were subjected to sexual or physical
criminally punished for such abuse. Directives were issued in l996 disallowing
a woman from being kept overnight in police custody, and some women's police
stations have also been established in recent years to address this problem.
However, the requirements of the directive continue to be ignored. Moreover,
victims of abuse find it difficult to register complaints. Police stations tend
to shield the offenders and threaten complainants with further and worse
harassment if they persist. Many victims and families, therefore, have no
option but to remain quiet. While sexual violence has decreased in women's
police stations, other forms of verbal abuse and milder forms of violence
continue, partially admitted to in one of the Commission’s visits to women's
police stations.
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