September 5, 2026
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE
Rights activists, civil society members and citizens gathered at Liberty Roundabout in Lahore on Saturday evening, to protest against the rising gender-based violence in the country and marked the occasion to remember the women across Pakistan who have been murdered and abused in such incidents.
The gathering, titled “Lahore Against Gender-Based Violence,” was held especially after the recent incidents of violence took place including the murders of Hina Javed, Hina Zareef, Ayesha Gilamana, Jannat Khatoon and others. Participants gathered with placards, flowers and candles to express solidarity with victims and survivors and to call for greater action against violence targeting women and girls.
The vigil also highlighted violence faced by transgender persons (trans women), as they also frequently become victims of gender based violence that stems from patriarchy.
Participants expressed solidarity with women and girls facing violence in the capital city, Punjab, Balochistan and other parts of the country.
In the case of Hina Javed, a 45-year-old digital media professional, was found dead at her residence in Askari Apartments in Rawalpindi’s Lal Kurti area on August 20. A murder case was subsequently registered, while her husband Faisal Asghar and domestic worker Zeeshan were arrested in connection with the case. The matter remains under investigation and the allegations against the accused are yet to be determined by a court.
Speaking to Voicepk at the Lahore vigil, Tahira Habib, General Secretary of Koojh Pakistan, said GBV cases were not being treated as a sufficiently important issue and alleged that cases generally received attention only after being highlighted by the media.
She said incidents occurring in villages and rural communities often did not receive the same level of attention.
“GBV cases are not being considered an important issue. Only those cases that make it to the media receive attention, while cases in villages and rural areas are ignored,” Habib said.
She said laws to address GBV already exist, but their implementation remains a major concern. She called for a large-scale public awareness campaign to address violence against women and educate communities about gender-based violence.
“There are laws to deal with GBV, but they are not being implemented. There is a need for a large-scale awareness campaign to eliminate gender-based violence,” she added.
Anarkali, founder of Sitaron Ki Mehfil, also expressed concern over what she described as a lack of public mobilisation despite incidents of rape and violence being reported across the country.
Speaking to Voicepk, she said hundreds of cases of rape and violence were taking place, but people were not coming out in sufficient numbers to protest against them.
She pointed to the relatively low attendance at Saturday’s gathering and said it raised concerns that violence was increasingly being viewed as a routine part of society.
“Hundreds of cases of rape and violence are taking place, but people are not coming out to protest against them. Even the low participation in today’s demonstration gives the impression that people have started considering such violence a normal part of life,” Anarkali said.
Nabiha Mehar, founder of Critical Thinking Pakistan, called on women to raise their voices and participate in collective action against violence and oppression.
Speaking at the gathering, Mehar said violence against women would not stop unless women themselves came forward to resist it.
“Enough is enough. Women will have to come out,” she said, stressing the importance of women participating in efforts against gender-based violence.
Participants at the vigil called for justice and accountability in cases involving violence against women and demanded stronger implementation of measures aimed at protecting women and girls.
The gathering also served as a space to remember victims and express solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence. Organisers said the purpose of the vigil was to bring people together in remembrance, grief and collective resolve against violence.
Participants reiterated solidarity with victims and survivors across Pakistan and called for an end to gender-based violence.