Rising crime figures test Punjab’s new approach to child, women abuse cases

An examination of figures cited by law-enforcement sources indicates that 484 child abuse cases were registered in Lahore during January-July 2026, compared with 402 during

LAHORE: A significant rise in the registration of child abuse and gender-based violence cases in Punjab has sparked debate over whether increasing crime figures reflect a worsening security situation or improved access to the criminal justice system.

An examination of figures cited by law-enforcement sources indicates that 484 child abuse cases were registered in Lahore during January-July 2026, compared with 402 during the corresponding period in 2025, representing an increase of about 20 percent.

The increase was particularly pronounced in some police divisions. Cases in Sadar Division rose from 78 to 110, while Iqbal Town recorded an increase from 42 to 76 during the same period.

Officials and sources familiar with the matter attribute the rise partly to a policy aimed at ensuring that cognizable offences, particularly crimes involving children and women, are formally registered rather than being left at the application or inquiry stage.

The approach represents a departure from criticism frequently levelled against policing practices in the past, under which victims of sensitive offences were allegedly discouraged from pursuing formal cases. If complaints were not converted into FIRs, crimes could remain absent from official crime statistics, potentially creating a gap between recorded crime and the actual situation on the ground.

Under the current policy direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, police authorities have been instructed to facilitate the registration of cognizable offences and ensure that victims are not denied access to the legal process. The policy places particular emphasis on cases involving children and women.

The provincial government has also established the Crime Control Department (CCD) as a specialised investigative structure intended to strengthen investigations and improve the quality of criminal cases beyond the initial registration of FIRs.

The challenge now is to ensure that increased registration translates into effective investigation, prosecution and convictions. Simply recording a larger number of cases, legal experts and rights advocates point out, cannot by itself be considered a measure of success unless investigations are conducted professionally and victims receive meaningful protection and access to justice.

At the national level, data cited in the investigation showed 3,172 gender-based violence cases during the first six months of 2026, with Punjab accounting for the largest share, followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The figures have generated criticism from some quarters, with opponents arguing that rising reported cases indicate deteriorating law and order. Supporters of the registration policy, however, contend that higher numbers can also indicate that previously unreported or unregistered cases are entering the formal justice system.

A key issue, therefore, is whether Punjab can sustain the registration policy while improving investigation and prosecution. A coordinated strategy involving police, prosecutors and relevant protection institutions has been discussed to identify weaknesses in investigations and strengthen cases before the courts.

Prosecutors and police officials have stressed the need for closer coordination between investigation officers, the CCD, district prosecutors and senior police leadership so that cases do not collapse because of procedural or evidentiary shortcomings.

The policy also places greater responsibility on institutions to protect complainants and vulnerable victims throughout the criminal justice process. Effective investigation, timely prosecution and successful convictions will ultimately determine whether the new approach can deliver results.

The rising figures consequently present a complicated picture. They may reflect both the continuing scale of abuse and greater willingness or ability of victims to approach law-enforcement agencies.

For Punjab, the real test will not be whether crime statistics remain low, but whether every legitimate complaint is registered, investigated fairly and pursued effectively through the courts. A transparent registration system, professional investigation and stronger prosecution will be essential if the province is to provide meaningful protection to children and women.