Quetta: Aurat Foundation Balochistan has released its annual report documenting cases of violence against women across the province from January to December 2025, revealing a deeply alarming rise in gender-based violence. According to the report, at least 123 incidents of violence against women were officially recorded during the year, including murder, honour killing, abduction, harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, and suicide.
The findings highlight not only the increasing severity of violence but also underline a critical concern: many cases remain unreported due to social pressure, fear, and limited access to justice, suggesting the real scale of the crisis is far greater.
The report states that in 2025, 65 women and 25 men were killed in Balochistan. Among these, 33 women and 25 men lost their lives in so-called honour killings, making honour-based violence one of the most disturbing trends in the province. Additionally, two women died by suicide due to domestic distress, while five women faced harassment, nine suffered domestic violence, six were sexually assaulted, and 11 were abducted in various districts.
Data from the Women and Juvenile Facilitation Center (WJFC) further reflects the growing pressure on support institutions. During 2025, the center received 129 complaints, including 37 domestic violence cases, 35 harassment complaints, 14 blackmailing cases, four cases of missing women, four threat-related complaints, one case of digital violence, and eight financial fraud cases involving women. Police provided legal guidance, medical aid, and counseling to victims, while several cases were referred from other districts.
The report expresses grave concern over honour killings, with 58 cases recorded province-wide in 2025. Jaffarabad reported the highest number with 10 female victims, followed by Sibi and Lasbela with four cases each. Incidents were also reported in Noshki, Kharan, Mastung, and Loralai, while one case emerged from Chagai. These figures indicate that honour killing has become a persistent social issue in several regions.
Aurat Foundation also included district-wise data from 2019 to 2025, revealing that Quetta tops the list with 103 cases of women’s murder and honour killing over six years. Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Lasbela, Sibi, Panjgur, and Khuzdar follow closely, showing a consistent pattern of violence.
The organization emphasized that fluctuations in reported numbers do not necessarily reflect actual crime rates but rather access to reporting mechanisms and societal barriers. The foundation urged the Government of Balochistan to treat violence against women as a critical human rights issue by strengthening law enforcement, ensuring timely FIR registration, conducting transparent investigations, and providing specialized training to police, judiciary, and prosecutors.
The report also called for challenging harmful customs and traditions that contradict both Islamic principles and fundamental human rights. Aurat Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for women’s protection, justice, education, economic empowerment, and equal participation in decision-making across Balochistan.
