Sexual crimes against women on the rise in Lahore

LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s policy of zero tolerance towards sexual assault on the females suffered a major blow as six women were allegedly raped while three young girls, including a mentally challenged 15-year-old, were sexually harassed in various parts of the city in the last few days.

All the victims were discriminated against in the heart of Lahore during the last few days despite the repeated claims of the CM that “the sexual crimes and violence against women are her red line” and that she would show zero tolerance against the gender-based violence.

Most incidents were reported in the jurisdictions of “A category police stations” of Kahna, Nishtar Colony, Kot Lakhpat, Nawab Town, Shahdara Town, Factory Area etc.

According to the reported crimes, a mentally challenged underage girl was trapped by a suspect in the street in the Baghbanpura area. The suspect took her to a deserted place where he allegedly attempted rape.

In Hanjarwal, a woman alleged that she was living in a rented house where her former husband made forced entry and allegedly raped her. She alleged that the suspect also physically assaulted her when she resisted and hurled threats for reporting the matter to police.

Another woman booked a ride for a local market and the cab driver offered her a job opportunity against a handsome package at a local factory. A few days later, she said the cab driver called her to a place in Kahna to discuss job. When she reached the location, the cab driver and his friend, who was already present there, gang-raped her. The suspects made video of the gang rape and repeated the crime through blackmail.

A woman, a resident of Johar Town, filed a complaint with the Nawab Town police, saying a man established physical relations with her on the promise of marriage but refused to do so when she got pregnant.

In Kot Lakhpat area, a man made a forced entry into the residence of his former wife, allegedly raped and threatened her of dire consequences, including murder of her children.

Similarly, a rape case was registered by Nishtar Colony police against a suspect for sexually assaulting a woman multiple times.

The Shahdara Town police registered a case on the complaint of a woman when a man raped her multiple times. All these incidents show the situation of gender based violence and heinous crime like rape.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2026