Sexual crimes against women on the rise in Lahore

In Lahore, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's zero-tolerance policy towards sexual assault on women faced a significant setback as six women were allegedly raped and three young girls, including a 15-year-old with mental disabilities, were sexually harassed across the city in recent days. Despite Nawaz's repeated assertions that gender-based violence is "her red line" and that she would not tolerate such crimes, multiple incidents were reported from various parts of Lahore.

The majority of the reported crimes occurred in "A category police stations" in Kahna, Nishtar Colony, Kot Lakhpat, Nawab Town, Shahdara Town, and Factory Area. One mentally challenged underage girl was lured by a suspect on a street in Baghbanpura, who allegedly took her to a secluded area and attempted to rape her. Another woman reported that her former husband forced his way into their rented house in Hanjarwal and allegedly raped her, physically assaulting her when she resisted and threatening her with consequences if she reported the incident to the police.

A woman in Johar Town filed a complaint with the Nawab Town police, alleging that a man promised marriage but refused to consummate it when she became pregnant. In Kot Lakhpat, a suspect allegedly forcibly entered his former wife's residence, raped her, and threatened dire consequences, including the murder of her children. Additionally, a case was registered in Nishtar Colony against a suspect for multiple instances of sexual assault against a woman. The Shahdara Town police also registered a case when a man allegedly raped a woman multiple times.

These incidents underscore the prevalence of gender-based violence and heinous crimes like rape in Lahore.