Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2026

Exact source transcription retained, including print layout and extraction artifacts. Text SHA-256: 2c443efdfe6772d8d11525612a79fe6e22b1df9466b8cabd738b7c60b4719743.

Page 1 of 12 
 
 
 
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (PREVENTION AND PROTECTION) 
ACT, 2026 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement 
2.  Definitions 
3.  Domestic Violence 
4.  Punishment 
5.  Petition to the Court 
6.  Right to reside in a household 
7.  Power to grant interim order 
8.  Protection orders and residence orders 
9.  Monetary relief 
10.  Custody orders 
11.  Duration and alteration of interim, protection and residence orders 
12.  Penalty for breach of an interim or protection order etc. by the respondent 
13.  Appeal 
14.  Procedure 
15.  Protection Committee 
16.  Duties and functions of Protection Committee 
17.  Powers, privileges and immunities of Protection Committee 
18.  Delegation of functions and powers 
19.  Protection Officer 
20.  Duties of Protection Officer 
 

 
Page 2 of 12 
 
21.  Service Providers 
22.  Protection of actions taken in good faith 
23. Act not in derogation of any other law 
24.  Power to make rules 
25.  Removal of difficulties 
  
 
Page 3 of 12 
 
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (PREVENTION AND PROTECTION) ACT, 2026 
ACT NO. X OF 2026  
[26th January, 2026] 
AN 
ACT 
to establish an effective system of protection, relief and rehabilitation of women, men, transgender, 
children and any vulnerable person against domestic violence. 
WHEREAS the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan recognizes the fundamental 
rights of all individuals, their dignity and their right to be treated in accordance with the law; 
AND WHEREAS  it is expedient to institutionalize measures which provide neces sary 
safeguards preventing and protecting all persons, including women, men, transgender, children, and any 
vulnerable persons, from domestic violence and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; 
It is hereby enacted as follows:― 
1. Short title, extent and commencement.― (1) This Act shall be called the Domestic Violence 
(Prevention and Protection) Act, 2026. 
 (2) It extends to the Islamabad Capital Territory. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.―(1) In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant to the subject or context,― 
(i)  “aggrieved person” means any woman, man, transgender person, child, vulnerable 
person, or any other individual, including a person with a disability or a person of 
old age, who is or has been in a domestic relationship with the respondent and 
who alleges to have been subjec ted to any act of domestic violence by the 
respondent; 
(ii)  “child” means any person under the age of eighteen years living in a domestic 
relationship with the respondent and includes any adopted, step or foster child; 
(iii)  “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898); 
(iv)  “Court” means the family court established under the family Courts Act, 1964 
and shall have and exercise all the powers of a judicial magistrate of the first class 
under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898); 
(v)  “Division concerned” means the division to which the busine ss of this Act stand 
allocated; 
 
Page 4 of 12 
 
(vi)  “domestic relationship” means a relationship between persons who live together 
in a household and are either related by consanguinity, marriag e, kinship, 
adoption, or are family members living together; 
(vii)  “domestic violence” has the same meaning as assigned to it in section 3; 
(viii)  “household” means a household where the aggrieved person lives in a domestic 
relationship either singly or along with the respondent; 
(ix)  “Government” means the Federal Government; 
(x)  “informer” means a person who has credible information that an offence is being 
committed under this Act; 
(xi)  “monetary relief” means a monetary relief which a court may order under section 
9; 
(xii)  “notification” means a notification published in the Gazette of Pakistan; 
(xiii)  “Penal code” means the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (Act XLV of 1860); 
(xiv)  “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules made under this Act; 
(xv)  “Protection Committee” means a Committee constituted under section 15; 
(xvi)  “Protection Officer” means an officer designated by the Ministry of Human Rights 
under section 19; 
(xvii)  “Protection Order” means an order granted in terms of section 8; 
(xviii)  “respondent” means a person who is, or has been, in a domestic relationship with 
the aggrieved person and against whom relief has been sought under this Act; 
(xix)  “residence order” means an order granted in terms of section 9; 
(xx)  “Rules” means rules made under this Act; 
(xxi)  “service provider ” means any such government facility or registered voluntary 
organization established for the protection of aggrieved person providing legal, 
medical, financial or any other assistance. These shall also include shelter homes; 
and 
(xxii)  “vulnerable person ” means a person who is vulnerable due to old age, mental 
illness, or physical, learning, psychosocial or other disability, or for other special 
reason. 
(2) All the words and phrases not defined in this Act shall have the same meaning as assigned to 
them in the Penal Code and the Code. 
3. Domestic Violence. ―Domestic Violence shall mean all acts of physical, psychological and 
sexual abuse, other than the offence defined under Pakistan Penal Code or any other law, committed by 
 
Page 5 of 12 
 
a respondent against women, men, transgender, children, vulnerable persons, or any other person with 
whom the respondent is or has been in a domestic relationship that causes fear, physical or psychological 
harm to the aggrieved person. 
Explanation I.―For the purposes of this section:― 
(a)  if an offence falling under Penal Code is committed in a domestic relationship the 
offences shall be punishable as provided under the Penal Code and shall be tried 
by the court of competent jurisdiction; 
(b)  “physical abuse ” means all acts whereby physical harm is inflicted upon the 
vulnerable persons and includes all offences under chapters XVI, XVI A, XVII, 
XX, XXA of the Penal Code. 
(c)  “psychological and verbal abuse”, is where the aggrieved individual suffers from 
a pattern of degrading or humiliating conduct of the respondent an d includes but 
not limited to:― 
(i)  repeated exhibition of obsessive jealousy causing repeated invasion of the 
victim’s privacy, liberty, integrity and security; 
(ii)  insults or ridicule directed at the aggrieved person; 
(iii)  threats to cause physical pain to spouse or oth er members of shared 
household; 
(iv)  threats of divorce or second marriage on baseless accusation of insanity or 
infertility; 
(v)  bringing false allegation u pon the c haracter of a female  member or any 
member of the shared household; 
(vi)  willful or negligent abandonment of the aggrieved person; 
(vii)  stalking; 
(viii)  harassment; and 
(ix)  compelling the wife to cohabit with anybody other than the husband; and 
(d)  “sexual abuse” includes any conduct of a sexual nature that abuses, humiliates, 
degrades or otherwise violates the dignity of the vulnera ble person or any other 
person. 
Explanation II. ―For the purposes of determining whether any act, omis sion, commission or 
conduct of the respondent constitutes “domestic violence ” under this section, the overall facts and 
circumstances of the case shall be taken into consideration. 
4. Punishment .―(1) If the offence does not fall under the Penal Code, the a ct of domestic 
violence shall be punishable with simple imprisonment of a maximum period of three years and not less 
 
Page 6 of 12 
 
than six months depending on the gravity of the act of domestic violence committed, and a fine of one 
hundred-thousand Rupees and minimum of twenty-thousand Rupees shall also be paid as compensation 
to the aggrieved person. 
(2) In default of payment of fine, the court may award simple imprisonment of three months. 
(3) Whoever aids or abets the commission of an offence of domestic violence sha ll be punished 
with the same punishment provided for the offence. 
5. Petition to the Court. ―(1) An aggri eved person or any other person  authorized by the 
aggrieved person, through a Protection Officer, may present a petition to the C ourt within whose 
jurisdiction; 
(a)  the aggrieved resides or carries on business; and 
(b)  the place where the respondent and aggrieved person last resided together. 
(2) The court shall fix the first date of hearing, which shall not exceed seven days from the date 
of the receipt of the petition by the court. 
(3) Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall, with or without issuing an interim order, issue a 
notice upon the person complained against and call upon him or her to show cause within seven days of 
receipt of notice as to why a protection order shall not be made against him or her for committing an act 
of domestic violence as alleged in the petition. 
(4) The petition made under sub-section (1) shall be decided within a period of ninety days and 
any adjournment shall be granted for reasons to be recorded in writing by the Court. 
6. Right to reside in a household. ―(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law 
for the time being in force, the aggrieved person, shall have the right to reside in the shared house hold, 
whether or not the aggrieved person has any right, title or beneficial interest in the same. 
(2) The aggrieved person may choose to reside in the house or in a shelter home arranged by any 
service provider. 
7. Power to grant interim order. ―(1) In any proceeding under this Act, the court may pass 
such interim order at any time and stage of the petition as it deems just and proper. 
(2) If the court is satisfied that a petition prima facie discloses that the respondent has committed 
an act of domestic violence or that there is a likelihood that the respondent may commit an act of domestic 
violence, it may issue order on the basis of an affidavit of the aggrieved person or any other evidence or 
material, before the court as provided under sections 8, 9, and 10 against the respondent. 
8. Protection orders and residence orders. ―(1) The court on being satisfied that prima facie 
domestic violence has taken place or is likely to take place may pass a protection order in favour of the 
aggrieved person and direct the respondent,― 
(a)  not to commit any further act of domestic violence., 
 
Page 7 of 12 
 
(b)  not to have any communication in any form or manner including personal, oral or 
written, electronic or telephonic or cellular with the aggrieved pers on, with or 
without exceptions; 
(c)  to stay away from the aggrieved person, with or without exceptions; 
(d)  to stay at such distance from the aggr ieved person as may, keeping in view the 
peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, as determined by the Court; and 
(e)  to move out of the house in case of an act of grave violence if the life, dignity or 
reputation of the aggrieved person is in danger. 
(2) In addition to the order under sub -section (1) or otherwise, the court on being satisfied that 
domestic violence has taken place may pass an order: 
(a)  restraining the respondent from dispossessing or in any other manner disturbing 
the possession of the aggrieved person from the household; and 
(b)  restraining the respondent or any of his or her relativ es from entering the 
household; 
(3) The court may pass any other direction which it may deem reasonable to protect and provide 
for the safety of the aggrieved person or any child of such aggrieved person. 
(4) The court may require from the respondent to execute a bond, with or without sureties, for 
preventing the commission of domestic violence. 
(5) While making an order under sub -sections (1), (2) or ( 3), the court may also pass an order 
directing the officer in charge of the nearest police station to give protection to the aggrieved person or 
to assist the aggrieved person or the person making an application on his or her behalf in the 
implementation of the order. 
(6) While making an order under sub -section (2), the court may impose on the respondent 
obligations relating to the discharge of rent or other payments, having regards to the financial needs and 
resources of the parties. 
(7) The court may direct the officer in charge of the police station in whose jurisdiction the court 
has been approached to assist in the implementation of the protection order. 
(8) The court may direct the respondent to return to the possession of the aggrieved person any 
property, valuables or documents to which the aggrieved person is entitled. 
(9) The court shall in all cases where it has passed any order under this section, order that a copy 
of such order, shall be given to the parties, the officer in charge of the police s tation in the jurisdiction 
of which the court has been approached as well as to the service provider located within the local limits 
of the jurisdiction of the court. 
9. Monetary relief.―(1) The court may, at any stage of the trial, may pass interim order directing 
the respondent to pay monetary relief to meet the expenses incurred and losses suffered by the aggrieved 
 
Page 8 of 12 
 
person and any child of the aggrieved person as a result of the domestic violence and such  relief may 
include, but is not limited to― 
(a)  compensation for suffering as a consequence of economic abuse to be determined 
by the court; 
(b)  loss of earning; 
(c)  medical expense; 
(d)  the loss caused due to the destruction, damage or removal of any property from 
the control of the aggrieved person; and 
(e)  the maintenance for the aggrieved person as well as children, if any, including an 
order under or in addition to an order of maintenance under any law for the time 
being in force. 
(2) The respondent shall pay monetary relief granted to the aggrieved person within the period 
specified in the order made under sub-section (1). 
(3) Upon failure on part of the respondent to make payment in terms of the order under sub -
section (2), the court may direct an employer or debtor, of the respondent, to directly pay the aggrieved 
person or to deposit with the court a portion of the wages or salaries or debt due to or accrued to the 
credit of the respondent, which amount may be adjusted towards the monetary re lief payable by the 
respondent. 
10. Custody orders.―Notwithstanding anything in any law for the time being in force, the court 
may, at any stage of the petition for protection order or for any other relief under this Act, grant temporary 
custody of an aggrieved person to an appropriate person or authority: 
Provided that if the aggrieved person is a child then an appropriate person or service provider 
shall be determined by the Court as per the Guardians and Wards Act 1890 (VIII of 1890): 
Provided further that if the aggrieved person is an adult then the custody shall be granted to a 
service provider or some other person to any person or service provider in accordance with the will of 
the aggrieved person. 
11. Duration and alteration of interim, p rotection and residence orders. ―(1) The interim 
order made under section 7, the protection order made under section 8 and the custody order under 
section 10 shall remain in force until the aggrieved person applies for discharge of such order. 
(2) If the court on r eceipt of an application at any stage from the aggrieved person or the 
respondent is satisfied that there is a change in the circumstance requiring alteration, modification or 
recalling of any order made under this Act, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing pass such order, 
as it may deem appropriate. 
(3) The residence order shall remain in force till altered by the court. 
 
Page 9 of 12 
 
(4) Nothing contained in sub-sections (1) and (2) shall prevent an aggrieved person from making 
a fresh application after the previous order has been discharged. 
12. Penalty for breach of an interim or protection order etc. by the respondent. ― (1) A 
breach of protection order, or of the interim order or of the residence order, or of a custody order by the 
respondent shall be an offence and shall be punishable with imprisonment of one year and with fine of 
one hundred thousand Rupees which shall be paid to the aggrieved person. 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, the offence under this section shall be 
cognizable, bailable and compoundable. 
13. Appeal.― (1) Any person aggrieved by order of the court under section 12 may file an appeal 
to the court of sessions within thirty days of the passing of the order of sentence and the Court of sessions 
shall decide the appeal within sixty days. 
(2) Any person aggrieved by the final decision of the Court may, within ten days of the final 
Judgment or order of the Court prefer an appeal to the Court of sessions. 
14. Procedure.―(1) All proceedings under this Act shall be governed by the Family Courts Act, 
1964. 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section (1) the Court may, for reasons to be 
recorded, proceed under the Code. 
15. Protection Committee. ―(1) The Division concerned shall, by notification in the official 
Gazette, constitute a Protection Committee for the purposes of this Act within three mo nths of the 
passage of the Act. 
(2) A Protection Committee shall comprise of a representative of the Family Protection and 
rehabilitation center a representative of the National  Commission on the Status of Women, a medical 
doctor or psychologist or psycho-social worker, a law officer, and a police officer not below the rank of 
Inspector, preferably female, or any other officer (s) designate by the Ministry of Human Rights as may 
be prescribed by the rules and a Protection Officer who shall also act as the Secreta ry of the Protection 
Committee. 
(3) One half of the total members of the Protection Committee shall constitute the quorum. 
16. Duties and functions of Protection Committee.―The Protection Committee may:― 
(a)  inform the aggrieved person of his / her rights provided under this Act or any other 
law for the time being in force and the remedies and the help that may be provided; 
(b)  assist the aggrieved person in obtaining any medical treatment necessitated due to 
the domestic violence; 
(c)  if necessary, and with the consent of the aggrieved person, assist the aggrieved 
person in relocating to a safer place acceptable to the aggrieved person, which 
may include the house of any relative or family friend or other safe place; 
 
Page 10 of 12 
 
(d)  assist the aggrieved person, by assigning the Protection Officer, in the preparation 
of and filing of any petition or report under this Act, the Code or any other law for 
the time being in force, after proper examination and assessment of the case; 
(e)  keep official record of the incidents of domestic violence in its area of jurisdiction; 
(f)  maintain record of the names and contact details of the service provider from 
whom the aggrieved pe rson may seek further help an d assistance including 
shelter; 
(g)  Perform such other duties that may be assigned to the Protection Committee under 
this Act or the rules made there under. 
17. Powers, privileges and immunities of Protection Committee. ―(1) The members of the 
Protection Committee shall be deemed to the public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the 
Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860). 
(2) The Protection Committee shall be housed in the Family Protection and Rehabilitation centre 
for Women or any other such centre as notified by the under the Division concerned. 
(3) The Division concerned shall provide a Secretariat, under the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Centre 
for Women, a s well as necessary staff supported by a budget required for the establishment and 
functioning of the Secretariat. 
18. Delegation of functions and p owers.―The Protection Committee may delegate any of its 
functions and powers to any of its member or members. 
19. Protection Officer.―(1) The Division concerned shall, by notification in the official Gazette, 
designate a team of Protection Officers, one male and one female for the purposes of this Act Protection 
Officers are to be appointed in the prescribed man ner within one month of the framing of the rules 
pursuant to section 24 of this Act. 
(2) The Secretariat of the Protection Committee shall provide support to the Protection Officer 
in exercising its functions. 
(3) The Protection Officers shall assist the P rotection Committee and the aggrieved person in 
accordance with provisions of this Act. 
20. Duties of Protection Officer.―It shall be the duty of the Protection Officer; 
(a)  to file an application for obtaining a protection order under section 9, if so desired 
by the aggrieved person; 
(b)  to make a domestic incident report to the Protection Committee, in such form and 
in such manner as may be prescribed, upon receipt of a complaint of domestic 
violence; 
 
Page 11 of 12 
 
(c)  to make an application in such form and in suc h manner as may be prescribed to 
the court, if the aggrieved person so desires, claiming relief for issuance of a 
protection order; 
(d)  to ensure that the aggrieved person is provided legal aid; 
(e)  to maintain a list of all service providers providing legal aid or counseling, shelter 
homes and medical facilities in a local area within the jurisdiction of the court; 
(f)  to make available a safe place of residence, if the aggrieved person so requires 
and forward a copy of his report of having lodged the aggrieved person in a shelter 
home to the Protection Committee; 
(g)  to get the aggrieved person medically examined, if the person has sustained bodily 
injuries and forward a copy of the medical report to the Protection Committee; 
(h)  to ensure that the order for monetary relief under section 10 is complied with and 
executed in accordance with the procedure prescribed; and 
(i)  to perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Protection 
Committee. 
21. Service Providers. ―(1) In any proceeding un der this Act, the court or the Protection 
Committee may engage the services of a service provider. 
(2) Service provider shall have all the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the Protection 
Committee. 
(3) A service provider shall have the power to;― 
(a)  record the domestic incident in a prescribed form if the aggrieved person so 
desires and forward a copy thereof to the Protection Officer having jurisdiction in 
the area where the domestic violence took place; 
(b)  get the aggrieved person medically examin ed and forward a copy of the medical 
report to the Protection Officer within the local limits of which th e domestic 
violence took place; 
(c)  ensure that the aggrieved person is provided shelter in a safe place of residence, if 
he or she so requires and forward a report of the lodging of the aggrieved person 
in a safe place of residence to the Protection officer within the local limits of the 
place where the domestic violence took place; and 
(d)  provide the aggrieved person with any aid or assistance if he or she may so require. 
22. Protection of actions taken in good faith.―No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings 
shall lie against any Protection Committee, Protection Officer or service provider for anything which is 
done in good faith or purported to be done under this Act. 
 
 
Page 12 of 12 
 
23. Act not in derogation of any other law.―The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, 
and not in derogation of, any other law for the time being in force. 
24. Power to make rules. ―The Federal Government may make rule s fo r carrying out the 
purposes of this Act. 
25. Removal of difficulties. ―If any difficulty arises in the implementation of the provision of 
this Act, the Federal Government may, on recommendation of the Ministry of Human Rights or 
otherwise, give appropriate directions to remove such difficulty. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         RGN Dated: 11-02-2026