ISLAMABAD (Zeeshan Yousafzai) – The National Assembly (NA) on Thursday passed the crucial Domestic Violence Bill 2025, aimed at ensuring the social protection of wives and children.
Following its passage in the National Assembly, the bill will now be presented in the Senate.
Under the proposed law, using abusive language against a wife, children, or any other household member will be considered a criminal offence.
According to the text, causing emotional or psychological distress to a wife, children, or other residents of the home will also be a punishable crime. Offenders may face up to three years in prison and fines reaching up to Rs. 100,000.
The draft further states that stalking a wife, children, disabled persons, or elderly members living in the home will be considered an offence.
Forcing a wife to live with others against her will is also punishable. Violating the privacy or dignity of family members has been defined as a criminal act.
The bill also criminalizes threatening to cause physical harm to a wife or other household members. Making accusations against anyone living under the same roof will be punishable, as will neglecting the care of a wife, children, or other dependents.
The Domestic Violence Bill additionally covers sexual and economic exploitation. It applies to wives, children, elderly family members, adopted children, and transgender persons living within the same household.
It is noteworthy that the bill was introduced in the National Assembly by Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Sharmila Faruqi.