Pakistan’s National Assembly has approved the Domestic Violence Bill 2025, a landmark move aimed at protecting wives, children, elderly family members, transgender persons, and people with disabilities from physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse. The bill will now move to the Senate for further consideration.

The legislation comes amid rising domestic violence reports in the federal capital and Pakistan’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Domestic violence is broadly defined to include abuse by spouses, parents, adoptive parents, or other household members.

Physical abuse will be penalized under existing Pakistan Penal Code provisions, while emotional and psychological abuse includes obsessive jealousy, humiliation, threats, false allegations, stalking, harassment, or forcing a spouse to live with others against their will. Sexual abuse targets acts that demean or degrade, and economic abuse covers denial of access to rightful financial resources.

Penalties range from six months to one year imprisonment and fines up to Rs. 100,000, with a minimum of Rs. 20,000 to be paid to the victim. Anyone aiding or abetting such abuse faces similar consequences. Victims can remain in their homes or seek protection through service providers offering legal, medical, or financial support. Family courts can enforce protection orders, award monetary relief, and decide child custody when necessary.

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Divisional administrations are tasked with forming protection committees and appointing officers to monitor enforcement and support victims.

The bill faced opposition from JUI-F members, with suggestions to refer it to the Council of Islamic Ideology before Senate approval. Advocates, however, hail it as a significant step toward safeguarding vulnerable family members and strengthening Pakistan’s legal framework against domestic abuse.