In a shocking revelation from Pakistan’s Sindh province, a minor girl allegedly suffered gang rape while in police custody in Jacobabad district. This horrifying incident has laid bare deep-rooted procedural flaws in the country’s criminal justice system. While six police officers have been arrested, experts argue this falls short of true accountability, targeting only low-level personnel.
A detailed report in The Express Tribune highlights how female detainees were housed in private spaces with male officers, constituting illegal detention practices. ‘The question of sexual assault, horrific as it is, comes after the state has already failed in its legal duties,’ the report states. Custody is meant to limit police power, not amplify it.
The case allegedly involved detaining women and children to pressure male relatives wanted in another crime—a brutal, unlawful tactic with no place in civilized justice systems. Such methods persist due to rare severe punishments. Seeking justice from police, especially when they are the accused, is deemed highly risky without independent complaint mechanisms and witness protection.
Administrative negligence is evident in the shortage of female officers and ineffective women’s protection units. Safeguards against custody abuse remain unimplemented. The report demands viewing this as institutional failure: Who authorized the detention? Who oversaw it? Who failed to intervene? And who decides the extent of accountability?
This incident coincides with alarming trends. Sahil, an Islamabad-based NGO monitoring gender violence, reported a 25% rise in crimes against women in the first 11 months of 2025 compared to 2024. Analyzing 81 national newspapers across provinces, Islamabad, PoK, and PoGB, they documented 6,543 cases versus 5,253 the previous year. Breakdown includes 1,414 murders, 1,144 abductions, 1,060 physical assaults, 649 suicides, and 585 rapes.
Pakistan’s justice system must confront these systemic issues head-on to prevent future atrocities and restore public trust. Swift reforms in custody protocols, training, and oversight are imperative.