Status of domestic violence legislation in Pakistan:

1. Sindh passed a law in 2013

The law defines domestic violence broadly to include physical, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse; covers a range of domestic relationships; and specifically criminalises the practice

2. Balochistan passed a similar law in 2014

While it provides for civil remedies such as protection/residence orders, it doesn’t criminalise domestic violence that isn’t already an offence under PPC

It also defines domestic relationship more broadly to include domestic help

3. Punjab passed a domestic violence law in 2016

Like the Balochistan law, the Punjab law defines domestic violence broadly but doesn’t specifically criminalise the practice

Instead, it provides victims a range of civil remedies such as protection/residence/monetary orders