By Nadem Khan
Quetta:
The women’s ward of Quetta’s old Trauma Centre, the atmosphere is unusually quiet. On one of the beds lies a 30-year-old woman, a Lady Health Worker whose face and body bear the fresh marks of domestic violence. Standing beside her is her sister, offering silent support.
Married for 14 years and mother to three children, the battered woman says the physical and emotional abuse had become a grim routine. But the latest assault, which occurred just days ago, crossed a threshold that finally compelled her to seek formal help.
Despite Trauma Centre officials not allowing us to record or formally report from inside the ward, the domestic violence victim spoke secretly, sharing her account with visible distress and determination.
“He has subjected me to violence throughout these 14 years,” she told reporters from her hospital bed. “Three or four days ago, he locked me inside a room, stripped me naked and tortured me with electric wires.”
She lifted parts of her clothing to reveal deep welts and bruises on her head, back, and other visible areas of her body. Hospital staff prevented video recording inside the ward, and doctors declined to comment. The Trauma Centre administration also refused permission for filming.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered on 28 June at a local police station in Quetta, the woman was brought to Civil Hospital with multiple injuries. She told investigators that her husband had repeatedly assaulted her during their marriage, with the most recent attack involving confinement and beating with electric wires. Police have registered the case under Sections 337-A (causing hurt), 337-D, and 337-F of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Outside the hospital, relatives who requested anonymity described years of unchecked violence. “A neighbour called to tell us she had been assaulted by her husband,” one said. “We rushed her to the Trauma Centre. Her nose is broken and she has a head injury. This is not the first time. He has abused her before. The accused has not been arrested and is threatening to release private videos.”
Government Takes Notice
The Government of Balochistan has taken immediate notice of the alleged assault on. According to Special Assistant to the Balochistan Chief Minister on Media and Political Affairs
Shahid Rind, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, Personal Staff Officer Syed Amin immediately contacted police authorities.
An FIR has already been registered against the suspect, and legal proceedings have begun. The Chief Minister has directed that the incident be investigated transparently, impartially, and strictly on merit.
“Violence, harassment and any form of abuse against women will not be tolerated,” Shahid Rind said. “The law will take its course without discrimination.”
The government has assured that the victim will receive justice without delay and that those involved will be brought to justice and punished in accordance with the law.
A Pattern of Violence in Balochistan
The woman’s ordeal is not an isolated case. According to the Aurat Foundation, 123 incidents of violence against women were reported across Balochistan in 2025. These included murders, so called honour killings, abductions, harassment, sexual violence, domestic abuse, and suicides. Of these, 65 women were killed, while 33 women and 25 men fell victim to honour related killings. Rights organisations caution that the true scale is likely far greater, as many survivors remain silent due to social stigma, fear of retaliation, and weak institutional support.
Alauddin Khilji, Resident Director of the Aurat Foundation, emphasised the need for systemic improvements. “Protection officers should be appointed in every district so survivors can receive immediate protection and timely legal assistance,” he said.
Balochistan enacted a law against domestic violence in 2014, but implementation has lagged. The Rules of Business were notified in 2019, yet key amendments remain under consideration, leaving critical gaps in enforcement and victim support.
Limited but Vital Safe Spaces
In Quetta, the Women and Juvenile Facilitation Centre offers a rare alternative to police stations. It provides legal aid, counselling, and referrals for survivors. According to the centre, 57 cases of violence against women have been reported so far this year.
Shazia, the centre’s in-charge, encourages women in distress to come forward. “Any woman facing violence can report it to us. This is different from a police station. We provide counselling, and most of our staff are women, so survivors feel comfortable sharing their experiences.”
AIG Gender Israr Ahmed Umrani confirmed that a case has been registered against Shahida’s husband. He said the accused has absconded and that police are actively pursuing his arrest.
As of now, the domestic violence victim remains in hospital, recovering from her physical injuries. Beyond the visible wounds, her deepest concern is the future of her three children and the fear that leaving the hospital could return her to the cycle of violence that has defined much of her married life.
Her decision to speak publicly marks a significant, painful step one that highlights both the resilience of survivors and the urgent need for stronger protections for women across Balochistan.