LAHORE:
The Punjab Police is preparing to set up a specialized sexual offenses investigation unit within the Crime Control Department (CCD) to address delays in investigations and arrests amid a sharp rise in reported cases across the province.
Police sources said the CCD has completed a review of existing investigation units across the province and compiled a detailed database of sexual assault cases, including those in which suspects remain at large.
Internal assessments found that a large number of cases were blocked due to poor coordination, lack of specialized training and delays in forensic and technical procedures. Under the proposed system, all cases of rape and sexual violence, as well as the arrest of named suspects, will be handled by a dedicated unit led by the CCD. The unit will rely on modern investigative tools, enhanced data analysis and a centralized command structure to closely track each case from registration to arrest.
Official figures show that 13,820 cases of sexual assault were recorded across Punjab last year. Lahore recorded the highest number with 1,576 reported incidents involving women and children, followed by Faisalabad with 945 cases, Gujranwala with 789 and Khanewal with 724.
Senior police officials admit that despite the high number of reported cases, many investigations have failed to result in timely arrests, eroding public trust and prolonging the suffering of survivors. “The new mechanism aims to remove procedural bottlenecks and determine responsibilities at each stage,” a senior officer said, adding that the CCD unit will coordinate closely with the district police, forensic agencies and prosecutors to ensure faster and more effective action.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, soon after taking office, repeatedly announced a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual crimes, especially those involving women and children. In a series of high-level meetings with senior law enforcement officials, she called for swift, transparent and uncompromising action to ensure justice for victims and deter offenders.
However, despite these political declarations, the total number of reported cases of sexual violence has not shown any significant decline, reflecting structural weaknesses that go beyond political will.
Even when first information reports (FIRs) are filed, many investigations suffer from poor evidence collection, delays in forensic analysis, and poor coordination with prosecutors, resulting in low conviction rates.
Recent statistics illustrate the problem: while thousands of sexual assault cases are recorded each year across Punjab, only a fraction of them result in legal action, and even fewer result in convictions. This gap has increased public frustration and undermined confidence in the criminal justice system.
