Web Desk: Parliament has approved sweeping domestic violence legislation aimed at strengthening legal protection for women, children and other household members in the federal capital.
The law, passed during a joint sitting of parliament, expands the definition of abuse beyond physical harm and introduces prison terms and financial penalties for offenders.
Lawmakers adopted the Domestic Violence Act 2026, which will apply exclusively to Islamabad. The legislation focuses on social protection within households and seeks to address multiple forms of abuse that often go unreported.
Officials said the law reflects a broader effort to modernise family protection laws and align them with international human rights standards.
Under the new act, staring at one’s wife, threatening divorce or a second marriage, and forcing a wife to live with other individuals without her consent are now classified as punishable offenses.
In addition, verbal abuse, emotional harassment and psychological distress directed at a wife, children or other household members living under the same roof will also constitute criminal acts.
If an offense is proven, courts may impose prison sentences of up to three years, fines of up to 100,000 rupees, or both. The law further stipulates that failure to pay the fine could result in an additional six months in jail.
Lawmakers said the penalties were designed to act as a deterrent while providing victims with legal recourse.
Beyond physical and emotional harm, the act also brings economic exploitation under the legal definition of domestic violence. This provision targets financial control or deprivation used as a means of coercion within households.
Legal experts say the inclusion of economic abuse marks a significant shift in how domestic violence is addressed under federal law.
For now, the Domestic Violence Act 2026 will be enforced only in Islamabad, as criminal law remains a shared responsibility between federal and provincial governments
Authorities said further steps would be needed for similar legislation to be adopted at the provincial level, while rights advocates called for robust enforcement to ensure the law translates into real protection for victims.
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