Business Recorder
KARACHI: Legal Aid Society on Friday launched its latest research report titled “From Missing Evidence to Fragile Evidence: Gap Analysis on Investigation and Prosecution of Rape Cases in Sindh, 2021–2024,” at a local hotel. The event brought together senior government officials, police leadership, legal experts, and justice sector stakeholders to assess progress, identify persistent shortcomings, and discuss reforms required to strengthen the criminal justice response to rape cases in Sindh. The report builds upon the organisation’s 2021 baseline study and presents an in-depth analysis of 46 concluded rape and sodomy case files collected from eight districts of Sindh. The findings reveal a notable improvement in conviction rates, which increased from 5 percent in 2020 to 22 percent in 2025. However, the study concludes that while outright absence of evidence is no longer the primary reason cases fail, the quality and reliability of evidence remain major concerns. According to the report, many cases now collapse because the available evidence is fragile — often poorly documented, inconsistently preserved, inadequately presented, or unable to withstand scrutiny during trial proceedings. The research highlights critical procedural weaknesses across investigation and prosecution stages that continue to undermine justice for survivors. Presenting the report’s key findings, Maliha Zia Lari stated that significant progress has been made in reducing delays in reporting sexual violence cases. She noted that the average reporting delay decreased from 39 days in the 2021 baseline study to just 5.2 days in the current dataset. Despite this improvement, she emphasised that investigation timelines have remained largely stagnant, while prolonged trial proceedings continue to be the biggest obstacle in achieving timely justice. The launch event was attended by senior representatives of the Government of Sindh and Sindh Police, including Sharjeel Kharal and Aamir Farooqi, who discussed institutional challenges and the need for coordinated reforms within the criminal justice system. Addressing the gathering, Additional Chief Secretary of Sindh Home Department Muhammad Iqbal Memon reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving justice outcomes in rape cases and stressed the broader meaning of women’s empowerment. He stated, “Women’s empowerment is not only getting a job, but that she must feel safe every single time she steps outside her house.” In her concluding remarks, CEO of LAS, Haya Emaan Zahid called for urgent, evidence-based reforms and stronger coordination among police, prosecutors, forensic experts, and the judiciary. “The law is there. The commitment to make it operational is what we are asking you to renew tonight.” Legal Aid Society emphasised that Sindh now possesses many of the legal and institutional mechanisms required to improve rape prosecution outcomes. The speakers acknowledged Sindh Government’s initiatives and commitment to aggressively control rape cases and ensure maximum possible conviction. The organisation stressed that the immediate challenge lies in ensuring these mechanisms function effectively so that evidence is properly collected, preserved, defended, and adjudicated in a way that delivers meaningful justice and protection for survivors of sexual violence. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Go to News Site