ISLAMABAD : In a historic move to combat domestic abuse, a joint session of Parliament passed the groundbreaking Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2026 on Tuesday. The new law, initially applicable to the federal capital territory of Islamabad, provides comprehensive legal protection to victims within households, criminalizing a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological abuses.
The legislation defines domestic violence expansively, protecting not only wives and children but also elderly residents, adoptive parents, transgender persons, and cohabiting individuals. It marks a significant legal shift by recognizing non-physical abuse as a punishable crime.
Under the new act, actions previously considered private family matters are now explicit offenses. These include threatening a wife with divorce or remarriage, subjecting her to intrusive staring, and forcing her to live with other people in the house without her consent. The law also criminalizes stalking, emotional and psychological harassment, and violating the privacy or self-respect of any family member.
Furthermore, neglecting dependents, making false accusations against co-residents, and threatening physical harm are all classified as punishable acts. Perpetrators found guilty under the law face stringent penalties, including imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to one hundred thousand rupees.
The passage of the Domestic Violence Act 2026 represents a major legislative step toward safeguarding vulnerable individuals within the private sphere. By legally defining and penalizing psychological abuse and coercive control, the law aims to deter domestic tyranny and provide victims with a clear path to justice, setting a potential precedent for similar laws in the provinces.
