470 women killed for honour in 2025 in Pakistan: HRCP report

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has released its annual report highlighting a worsening human rights situation in Pakistan during 2025.

According to the report, incidents of gender-based violence increased by 25 per cent during the year. It recorded 2,586 cases of cyber harassment against women, while 470 women were killed in so-called honour-related incidents.

The report stated that Pakistan ranked 130th out of 143 countries in terms of enforcement of fundamental rights in 2025, while the rate of capital punishment cases also increased.

It further noted that 1,272 terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations resulted in 3,417 deaths and 2,134 injuries across the country.

According to the HRCP, 1,155 police encounters took place nationwide, resulting in 1,696 deaths. In Punjab alone, the Counter Terrorism Department conducted 1,128 encounters in which 977 people were killed.

The report also highlighted overcrowding in prisons, stating that occupancy levels have reached 171 per cent of capacity.

It added that 21,600 Pakistani citizens are currently imprisoned abroad, including 738 in Indian jails, among them fishermen.

On gender indicators, Pakistan ranked 145th out of 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index. Domestic violence resulted in the killing of 1,332 women, while 3,815 rape cases were reported.

Cyber harassment cases against women stood at 2,586, and 470 women were killed in honour-related incidents.

The report also recorded 3,600 cases of violence against children, 1,107 kidnapping cases, and 365 missing children. There were 53 reported cases of child marriages, while 52 cases of child abuse were linked to pornography.

Regarding transgender persons, 19 were killed in 2025 and two were subjected to acid attacks.

The highest number of transgender killings, 10, were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while 13 cases of sexual violence were also recorded.

The HRCP report further warned that millions more people fell below the poverty line during the year.