Due to an increase in rape cases, Pakistan's Punjab imposes an "Emergency"

Punjab Home Minister Atta Tarar said at a press briefing on Monday that the rise in such crimes was a significant concern for society and government authorities.

"Four to five cases of rape are being reported daily in Punjab due to which the government is considering special measures to deal with cases of sexual harassment, abuse and coercion," he was cited as saying by Geo News.

"To deal with rape cases, the administration has declared an emergency," he said.

The minister stated that the topic will be discussed with civil society, women's rights organisations, teachers, and attorneys. In addition, he advised parents to educate their children the value of safety.

Tarar added that the accused in a number of cases had been imprisoned, that the government had initiated an anti-rape campaign, and that students would be cautioned about school harassment.

According to the home minister, now is the moment for parents to understand how to defend their children. He claimed that the government will expedite the collection of DNA samples.

"A system on abuse will be implemented in two weeks, reducing the incidents," he continued.

Pakistan has been suffering and combatting a gender violence epidemic, with violence against women affecting all social strata.

According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2021 rankings, Pakistan ranks 153 out of 156 nations, barely above Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan.

According to an article published in the International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS), Pakistan recorded 14,456 women killed in the past four years, with Punjab reporting the highest number.

Women's workplace harassment, domestic violence against women, and other forms of discrimination against women have also been prevalent.

"The 5,048 cases of workplace harassment of women and violence against women reported in the country during 2018 followed by 4,751 cases in 2019; 4,276 cases in 2020 and 2,078 cases in 2021," according to a Human Rights Ministry paper.

According to IFFRAS, multiple legal systems pierced with loopholes, as well as a strongly ingrained sexism in society, combine to make it difficult for women survivors of assault to obtain justice.

"The whole process from the moment a crime is committed against a woman to registering it with the police -- and then the court procedure -- is structured in such a way that justice remains elusive," Nayab Gohar Jan, a famous rights campaigner, declared in May.