Sindh rape case conviction rate rises to 22pc in five years

KARACHI: The conviction rate in rape cases in Sindh increased to 22 per cent in 2025, up from 5pc in 2020, according to an official report that linked the improvement to legal changes, specialised investigation structures and the functioning of gender-based violence courts across the province.

The Pakistan Penal Code, as amended by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2021, contains several relevant provisions, including Section 376(1) on rape, Section 376(1A) on rape by a public servant or person in authority, Section 376(2) on gang rape, Section 376(3) on rape of a minor, and Section 376(4) on rape by a repeat offender.

Official figures showed that in 2025, 178 rape cases were registered across Sindh. Of these, 135 ended in acquittals and 28 resulted in convictions. Under Section 376(1A), nine cases involving rape by a public servant or person in authority were registered, but no conviction was recorded. Fifteen gang rape cases were registered under Section 376(2), in which nine accused were acquitted and three were convicted. Under Section 376(3), which deals with rape of a minor, 25 cases were registered, with seven acquittals and 12 convictions. One case was registered under Section 376(4), concerning a repeat offender, and no conviction was recorded in that matter.

That, overall, 228 cases were registered in the province last year, of which 155 ended in acquittals and 43 in convictions.

Police cite investigation reforms

Speaking to Dawn, DIG Crime and Investigations Sindh Amir Farooqi said police performance in investigating rape cases had improved markedly. He said the 22pc conviction rate in 2025 was made possible by the establishment of the Special Sexual Offences Investigation Unit in all districts of Sindh.

Farooqi said investigators had been trained in collecting evidence and preparing case files. He said police personnel now had a better understanding of how to deal with rape investigations.

"Police investigators now have a better understanding of handling rape cases,"

He added that the specialised units were working closely with medico-legal officers for timely collection and preservation of evidence, forensic examination and follow-up of cases in courts in coordination with prosecutors.

"These units are maintaining close coordination with medico-legal officers (MLOs) for the timely collection and preservation of evidence, its forensic analysis, and case follow-up in courts in coordination with the prosecution,"

The DIG described the 22pc conviction rate as the highest in the country for rape cases, while clarifying that the figure applied to rape and gang rape offences only.

Backlog remains substantial

The official report said cases registered in a particular year do not necessarily reach conclusion in that same year, as many remain pending for months or even years because of delays in trial proceedings. Using total registered cases as the basis for calculating conviction rates could distort the picture because that method would include cases still awaiting final outcome. Using disposed cases, meaning those ending either in conviction or acquittal, offers a more accurate measure of court decisions.

"The 22pc conviction figure represents a significant improvement over the 5pc conviction rate recorded in 2020,"

327 rape cases were already pending at the start of 2025 from previous years. With 228 new cases added during the year, the total caseload reached 555. Of these, only 198 were disposed of.

"This means a significant backlog of cases remains unresolved,"

The rise in convictions reflected the effect of legislative reforms, institutional capacity-building and the operationalisation of gender-based violence courts in Sindh.