Legal Help · Published July 4, 2026
Domestic Violence Laws in Pakistan
Every province now has its own law and its own set of protective orders — here's how they actually work.
Quick answer
Domestic violence protection in Pakistan runs through provincial laws — Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, KP, and ICT each have their own act. A court can grant a Protection Order, a Residence Order (the right to stay in your home), a Monetary Order, or a Custody Order. You can go to the police, a Women Protection Cell, or directly to the designated court, and the laws also require 24/7 helplines and legal aid support.
The framework, layer by layer
Each province has its own dedicated law now
There's no single national domestic violence statute — Punjab has the Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016, Sindh the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013, Balochistan its 2014 Act, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa its 2021 Act, and Islamabad Capital Territory its 2020 Act.
Four kinds of protective orders exist
Courts can issue a Protection Order (stopping further violence or contact), a Residence Order (the right to stay in the shared household or safe alternative housing), a Monetary Order (financial support or maintenance), and a Custody Order (temporary custody of children away from an abusive environment).
You can go straight to court, not just the police
A victim can approach the designated court directly, or go through a Women Protection Officer, to seek these orders — filing at a police station is one option, but it isn't the only route into the system.
Support infrastructure is part of the legal framework, not an afterthought
The laws mandate 24/7 helplines, counselling centres, medical facilities, and legal aid offices — meaning the intended response to domestic violence is meant to combine legal orders with practical, immediate support.
Why "which province" is the first question, not an afterthought
Because domestic violence law in Pakistan is provincial rather than federal, the exact name of the applicable statute, the specific court designated to hear cases, and even some procedural details differ depending on where the household is located — a distinction detailed in comparative analysis from Baker McKenzie's Fighting Domestic Violence resource hub. Punjab's law, for instance, is framed as the Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016 rather than sharing the "Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection)" naming used by Sindh, Balochistan, and KP — a difference in title, but the underlying protective mechanisms (protection, residence, monetary, and custody orders) are broadly similar in structure across all of them.
The practical takeaway is that a general answer about "Pakistan's domestic violence law" isn't quite accurate — the right first step is identifying which provincial act governs the household in question, since that determines the court, the officer, and the exact procedure that applies.
What Wakeel.org can help with
Explaining which provincial law and protective orders generally apply, in plain English or Urdu.
What it cannot do
It cannot file a complaint or petition for a protective order, or intervene in an urgent safety situation — please contact the police or a Women Protection Officer immediately if you're in danger.
Frequently asked questions
What law covers domestic violence in Pakistan?
Domestic violence is addressed through provincial legislation: Punjab's Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016, Sindh's Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2013, Balochistan's 2014 Act, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's 2021 Act, and the Islamabad Capital Territory's 2020 Act — the specific law that applies depends on where you are.
What kind of protection can a court order in a domestic violence case?
A Protection Order (preventing further violence or contact), a Residence Order (the right to stay in the shared home or alternative safe housing), a Monetary Order (financial support), and a Custody Order (temporary child custody) are all available depending on the province and circumstances.
How do I report domestic violence in Pakistan?
You can file a complaint at the local police station, contact a Women Protection Cell, or approach the designated court directly (in person or with the help of a Women Protection Officer or lawyer) to seek a protective order.
Can I stay in my home after reporting domestic violence?
A court can issue a Residence Order specifically to secure your right to remain in the shared household, or to arrange alternative safe housing, as part of the protections available under the relevant provincial domestic violence law.
Can Wakeel.org help me file a domestic violence complaint?
Wakeel.org can explain which provincial law applies and what kinds of protective orders exist. It cannot file a complaint or petition for a protection order on your behalf — that requires the police, a Women Protection Officer, or a licensed advocate, and in an urgent situation, your safety should come first.
General educational information, not legal advice. See our full disclaimer.
Need to understand your protection options?
Ask Wakeel how the law generally works — and if you're in immediate danger, contact the police or a Women Protection Officer right away.